The updates to the 2024 Toyota GR Yaris are substantial, with an auto gearbox, more power and cabin enhancements.
The strong rumours of an automatic GR Yaris have come true and the heavily revised 2024 Toyota GR Yaris has just been announced. This is not a gentle cosmetic upgrade either and the new model gains even more power and torque, but critically, the addition of an automatic transmission that would enhance its day-to-day drivability.
While there’s very little wrong with a 6-speed manual GR Yaris (this will continue to be offered), the three pedal setup on a daily basis can be tiring, especially if you’re in congested traffic. Hyundai was quick to introduce an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission for its I30N hatchback and we’d argue that its one of the best cars in its class.
The new gearbox in the 2024 GR Yaris is a single-clutch transmission which the Japanese brand calls Direct Automatic Transmission. The vehicle gains gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel and the weight gain is around 18 kg.
The extraordinary 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine has been uprated with lightweight pistons, direct injection pressure and mapping, and now delivers 224 kW and 400 Nm. The predecessor offered 198 kW and 360 Nm in our market (200 kW and 370 Nm overseas) so this is quite the jump. No performance claims were made by Toyota, but we suspect the auto-equipped GR Yaris will be fractionally quicker in a dash to 100 kph. The manual version was good for 5.5 seconds, so we’re expecting a few tenths less than that.
Visually, the 2024 GR Yaris can be spotted with a new bumper and, new rear LED taillights. Climb inside and the analog dial-based dashboard has been replaced by an all-digital affair lifted straight from the bigger brother GR Corolla. This 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster looks and feels straight out of a video game – it’s awesome! Based on global feedback, Toyota has dropped the driver’s seat by 25mm.
When is the 2024 Toyota GR Yaris coming to South Africa?
Today’s news comes straight from the Tokyo Auto Salon and we have yet to hear comment from Toyota South Africa about availability. Given how eagerly the first GR Yaris units were snapped up, we expect this newcomer to also be in demand. Production of the facelifted model begins in April 2024. We anticipate a local debut before the end of the year.
Our review of the Toyota GR Yaris from 2021
Further Reading
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