Toyota Officially Introduces GR Yaris Facelift Automatically Transmissioned At Tokyo Auto Salon 2024

GR Yaris facelift automatic transmission. (Doc. Toyota)

JAKARTA - Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR), Toyota's motorsport division and high performance officially introduced changes to the hot match GR Yaris. This car was brought by the manufacturer at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 event which was held today.

Not only appearing with a newer change than before, this car is claimed to have better performance with an automatic transmission of eight accelerations developed and combined with four-wheel drive (4WD).

Reporting from the company's website, Friday, January 12, the transmission was developed by combining motorsport elements and typical performances of urban cars or highways. The manufacturer said the system was directly tested by the TGR World Rally Team rally riders on various road surfaces, such as snowy in Finland, and was tested in the Super Taikyu race by Akio Toyoda or Morizo, Chairman of Toyota and Shigeru Hayakawa (Vice President of Toyota) who was behind the wheel.

Toyota says that the automatic transmission system will be as fun as a manual dental displacement. The system is controlled by optimized software so that the software is able to detect the way the driver steps on the gas pedal and brakes.

This means that this system can anticipate when dental movement is needed similar to the way professional drivers move their teeth.

Although the manufacturer maintains a 1.6 liter turbo engine as before, GR Yaris facelift has an enhanced power from 272 ps to 304 ps and torques from 370 Nm to 400 Nm, thus increasing the excitement of driving.

The exterior also has changes with the lower front or bumper having a new structure that is more sporty than before. The lower side lattices are now equipped with larger openings to ensure cooling performance.

Changes are also clearly visible on the back with the bottom being redesigned, to optimize aerodynamics and exhaust disposal. The back lights also experience changes designed to be interconnected from both sides.

In addition, high-mounted stop ramps have been separated from rear spoilers, thereby increasing the ability to adjust spoilers.

Features such as 'Drive Mode' are also present by adjusting how to drive by being able to regulate the functions of electronic power steering, air conditioning, and powertrain according to the type of mode.

The inside also looks more sporty than ever with a full-color 12.3-inch TFT screen that can obtain technical information from this car. The driving position is also improved by lowering its position by up to 25 mm and the forward visibility is expanded so that the driver has more visibility.