2021 Toyota GR Yaris Rallye launches in Australia

The 2021 Toyota GR Yaris Rallye is now on sale Down Under, and it’s offering a suite of performance parts that should propel it to the front of the hot hatch market.

Chief among the new bits of kit are a pair of Torsen limited-slip differentials that sit over the front and rear axle, providing better traction and power management as well as increased dynamic prowess on track.

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The Rallye’s suspension has also been tweaked by the boffins at Gazoo Racing, now sitting lower and stiffer on the road thanks to harder springs and bigger anti-roll bars.

Gone are the normal 18-inch wheels found on the regular GR Yaris, in their place, Toyota has adorned the hotter hatch with a set of 10-spoke lightweight 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres measuring 225/40ZR18.

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The aggressive front fascia of the Rallye also accommodates improved front brake ducting, which will help provide extended braking performance.

Powering the Rallye is the same 1.6-litre single-scroll turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine found in the standard GR Yaris.

The hot triple produces 200kW and 370Nm, and thanks to the trick AWD system and slick-shifting six-speed manual with rev-matching, the Yaris can sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds, topping out at a limited 230km/h.

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Inside, the track-honed hatch gets synthetic leather-accented sports front seats with hugging bolsters, red stitching and perforated Ultrasuede inserts.

Each of the special edition hatches will also score a uniquely numbered GR Yaris Rallye plaque, which will sit on the centre console. An additional Rallye badge will also feature on the rear.

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Other standard features of the interior include dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, an eight-speaker JBL audio system, and an advanced infotainment system with seven-inch touchscreen display.

The Rallye has also been fitted with Toyota Safety Sense technologies including autonomous emergency braking, intersection assistance, adaptive cruise control, lane-trace assist and road-sign assist.

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Other standard safety features include emergency steering assist, auto high beam, blind-spot monitoring, a digital head-up display, six airbags and a reversing camera.

The GR Yaris Rallye, unlike its regular sibling, only comes in one colour – a unique Frosted White crystal pearl paint. Painted red brake calipers are also standard.

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With the Rallye now hitting showrooms Down Under, the first 200 customers to put down deposits on the track-ready model will pay a special introductory price of $56,200 driveway.

For all those who buy in after that, be prepared to pay $54,500 plus on-road costs for the hardcore GR Yaris.

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