Japanese domestic sales of the updated 2024 Toyota GR Yaris facelift are to begin on 8-April 2024, bringing with it an automatic transmission, beyond a host of new stuff.

While that will be relatively readily available, the two special brews – the Sébastien Ogier Edition and Kalle Rovanperä Edition – are only available at 100 units apiece, and only by lottery. More on that in a bit...

Anyway, the GR Yaris facelift gleans on lessons learnt from the road, track, and dirt, which sees it gain more power, suspension updates, and a completely redesigned interior that aims to be more driver-focused.

Also read: The 2024 Toyota GR Yaris' interior is the result of engineers picking up the design pen

Its G16E-GTS three-cylinder, 1.6-litre turbo engine now has 32 PS and 30 Nm more than the pre-facelift, giving it 304 PS and 400 Nm. The power upgrade comes courtesy of a strengthened valvetrain, a new exhaust valve material and an increase in the D-4ST fuel injection pressure.

New lightweight pistons with wear-resistant rings and a new intake pressure sensor to ensure reliability are also part of the deal.

The biggest highlight is the newly-developed 8-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic transmission. Honed by TGR with input from the TGR World Rally Team; the robust and quick automatic transmission and control software used has been specifically optimised for sporty driving.

Other changes include more bolts to fasten the body to the shock absorbers, 13% more spot welding points, 24% more structural adhesives.

At least the most obvious, visible change is the interior. It's totally revamped to have the central panel and display tilted 15 degrees toward the driver, aping what's it like in Super Taikyu and rally cars. A whole host of adjustments to the driving position has been done too, in conjunction with other quality-of-life changes with its ergonomics.

Meanwhile, the GR Yaris special editions feature all of these updates, and a little bit more: by way of bespoke touches by their namesakes. The Ogier Edition gets a new stealthy matte grey paint, while the Rovanperä Edition features a more extroverted three-colour scheme.

Both cars also feature exclusive 4WD control modes. The Ogier Edition includes “Morizo Mode” for balanced traction and turning, “Seb. Mode” for rear-wheel bias to enhance vehicle control at high speeds, and the standard “Normal Mode”.

The Rovanperä Edition offers “Donut Mode” for controlled drifting and “Kalle Mode” for aggressive rear swing on curves, along with the “Normal Mode”.

While chances of the hopped-up pairs showing up here are slim, the facelifted 2024 Toyota GR Yaris should come naturally to Malaysia, given that the GR Yaris is now a permanent fixture in the global GR stable.

Prices for the GR Yaris in Japan ranges from JPY 4.48 million (~RM 140k, RZ, 6MT) to JPY 5.33 million (~RM 167k, High Performance, 8AT). The two special editions go for JPY 8.45 million (~RM 265k, 6MT only) each.

Also read: More officially-imported Toyota GR Yaris are coming to Malaysia; now a permanent model in the GR lineup