There Was A Surprise From Toyota, The GR Version Starlet Launched In 2026

Fourth-generation Toyota Starlet. (Doc. Global Toyota)

JAKARTA - The Toyota issue will revive a number of old models into the automotive world again. Now, the manufacturer is rumored to be returning the name Starlet, one of the world's most popular Toyota models as one of its future cars.

Launching from Japanese media Best Car, Monday, September 9, the car will be based on Yaris and will launch in 2026. The subcompact hatchback has the potential to be present in the specifications of the highway, Rally-4, and high performance Gazoo Racing (GR).

The newest Starlet will carry the TNGA-B platform from Yaris, but its size is smaller and 90 mm shorter. This car will be about 3,850 mm long or 150 mm longer than the European version of Aygo X.

In addition, Toyota is also rumored to be designing a car categorized as Rally-4 along with the launch of a higher performance version of GR.

For the GR version, it is hoped that the model will feature a distinctive sporty body kit, improved chassis capabilities for sharper maneuvers, and more powerful machines such as other Toyota high-performance models.

The news said that this small hatchback will be powered by a 3-cylinder 1.3 liter turbocharged engine taken from 1.6 liter belonging to GR Yaris and GR Corolla. Thus, GR Starlet will have 150 dk of power along with six acceleration manual transmission.

The GR version will have a GR-Four four-wheel drive system with a low weight of up to 980 kg or 300 kg lighter than the Yaris GR.

In order to fulfill the Rally-4 homologation, Toyota needs to produce at least 25,000 units of the highway version. The report speculates that Starlet will arrive in 2026 with the rally version entering the competition starting in 2027.

It is possible that the Toyota GR Starlet will be sold in Japan at prices ranging from 2.5 million yen to 2.8 million yen (Rp271.4 million to Rp303.9 million) as well as making it the most affordable GR model ever. In comparison, the GR Yaris facelift is sold in a timpier country worth 4.5 million yen (Rp488.5 million).

Previously, Toyota Starlet was sold in Indonesia. According to several sources found by VOI, this model started from 1985 through the third generation, P70. Unfortunately, sales were stopped in 1998 before being replaced by Yaris in 2006.

However, the name of the Starlet is not completely lost in the global automotive industry. This badge still adorns South Africa's market with a base from the Suzuki Baleno sold in India. In this country with the largest population, Toyota markets it with the name Glanza.

Photo: Fourth-generation Toyota Starlet (source: Toyota Global)