Rally-born and bred for the road; it was a hot hatch that took the world by storm in 2020. Now it gets sharper, harder and angrier – petrolheads rejoice, this is the facelifted 2024 Toyota GR Yaris.

Taking Toyota Gazoo Racing’s (TGR) learnings from road, track and dirt; as well as input from Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman and Master Driver Akio Toyoda, a.k.a. Morizo, the new GR Yaris now receives further technical, design and construction enhancements that promise to deliver an even greater driving experience. Alongside, the new GR Yaris also introduces a much anticipated 8-speed automatic transmission to the lineup.

Also read: This is a rally car customers can buy - Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 receives FIA homologation

Starting at the top, the engine has received numerous enhancements to boost performance, power and torque are up by 32 PS and 30 Nm respectively, now rated at 304 PS and 400 Nm for the Japanese market. For European markets, the GR Yaris' outputs are lower, at 280 PS and 390 Nm of torque; an increase of 19 PS and 30 Nm over the pre-facelift model. 

The power upgrade comes courtesy of a strengthened valvetrain, a new exhaust valve material and an increase in the D-4ST fuel injection pressure. The engine also features new lightweight pistons with wear-resistant rings and a new intake pressure sensor to ensure reliability.

The new GR Yaris will also be offered with a “Circuit” specification that includes a new sub-radiator, modifications to the air intake and an intercooler spray to increase cooling performance and reliability in full-throttle driving.

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 optimized for sporty driving.

Also read: Automatic Toyota GR Yaris proves its still got it; clinches podium finish in Super Taikyu endurance race

Beyond using data from the car’s sensors to determine gearshifts, the software can study the driver’s pedal inputs and anticipate when gear shifting is necessary even before changes in vehicle behaviour occur. TGR claim that this has led to intuitive gearchanges that are similar to how professional drivers shift gears.

Elsewhere, the highly heat-resistant friction material in the automatic transmission's shift-clutch and aforementioned control software have resulted in world-class gear-shifting speeds. The automatic transmission has also been adapted for use with the (front/rear) Torsen LSD systems that are offered on selected variants.

Also read: Review: Toyota GR Yaris - Drive this, and the Golf R or A35 becomes a distant memory

The car’s frame has also been improved. The number of bolts fastening the body to the shock absorbers has been increased from one to three to suppress alignment changes during driving. Alongside, the number of spot welding points is up by 13 percent and structural adhesives have been increased by 24 percent; contributing to vastly improved body rigidity and handling stability.

Elsewhere the cockpit has also been revamped. The control panel and display have been tilted 15 degrees toward the driver – such as in the Super Taikyu Series and Japanese Rally Championship racecars.

Driving posture has been improved by lowering the driving position by 25 mm and accordingly adjusting the steering wheel position. Also, forward visibility has been expanded by moving the rearview mirror to the top of the windshield and lowering the upper edge of the centre cluster by 50 mm.

For the automatic variants, the gearshifter has been raised 75 mm (from the CVT-equipped GR Yaris RS) to the same position as the manual shift lever in the GR Yaris. Drivers can also shift sequentially in the style of rally cars, pulling on the lever for upshifts and pushing for downshifts - a detail that was promoted by Master Driver Akio Toyoda.

In contrast to how every other Toyota sequential shifter works, this shift pattern was specially developed to mimic GR Yaris competition cars; in line with natural vehicle behaviour. Elsewhere, a mechanical handbrake features in the automatic variants as well for better vehicle control in rally and gymkhana driving.

Also read: Akio Toyoda shows who’s boss with some donuts in a GR Yaris

Also new is a racing-inspired 12.3-inch full-colour TFT gauge display with a focus on visibility. For the automatic variants, an automatic transmission oil temperature display and a visual warning have been added to the gear position display in the gauge cluster.

Elsewhere, In addition to the conventional 4WD mode selection function, a new drive mode selection function is available for both sporty driving and everyday usability. The electronic power steering, air conditioning, and powertrain can be set according to user preference and driving conditions.

Aesthetically, the new GR Yaris gets a steel mesh lower grille that is thin and lightweight while still being strong, and the sides of the lower part of the front bumper have a new separable structure to facilitate easier and cheaper repairs in case of damage.

The side lower grilles now feature a larger opening to ensure cooling performance. Furthermore, the bumper sides have outlets to effectively exhaust heat from the sub-radiator and automatic transmission fluid cooler.

Round the back there’s an opening at the lower edge of the rear lower garnish allows air from under the floor to escape, and the upper and lower rear lamps have been consolidated to improve visibility. The high-mount stop lamp has been separated from the rear spoiler as well, increasing the spoiler's customisability.

Toyota announced that sales in Japan of the new GR Yaris are scheduled to start in Q2 2024, followed by release in other markets. The company has also said that two further limited edition models – the Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä Editions – in tribute to their WRC drivers will be unveiled later this month at the upcoming Rallye Monte Carlo.

Alongside TGR also plans to introduce an ‘update kit’ designed to bump the power of the pre-facelift GR Yaris to 304 PS/400 Nm which comes with an exclusive emblem that signifies the upgrade.