Rally rebel: Toyota GR Yaris gets an automatic twist
If you’ve ever dreamed of tearing up the streets (legally, of course) in a car that feels like it was pulled straight from a rally stage, Toyota’s got news for you. The New GR Yaris is officially here, and for the first time, it comes with an automatic transmission. Yes, you read that right — you don’t need to row your own gears to enjoy this rally-bred machine anymore.
Starting 6 March, Toyota Motor Philippines is rolling out the latest iteration of its WRC-inspired hot hatch, staying true to Akio Toyoda’s philosophy that “roads build cars.” That means it’s not only building a car that looks fast — it has to perform at the limit, too.
Visually, the New GR Yaris turns up the aggression with sharper aerodynamics, a rally-ready stance, and 18-inch forged aluminum wheels wrapped in grippy tires. LED headlights and DRLs ensure it stays menacing even at night, while the rear spoiler hints at its high-speed intentions.
GR Yaris’ turbocharged 1.6L GR engine is ready to unleash 280 PS of rally-bred performance.
Under the hood, Toyota cranked things up a notch. The 1.6-liter, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine now produces 280 PS and 390 Nm of torque, making it even more of a pocket rocket. And if you’re planning on really pushing it, an upgraded drive mode select, a sub radiator, and an intercooler spray help keep things cool under pressure.
For those who love the thrill of shifting gears, the 6-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT) remains. But if you prefer speed with a little less effort, the new 8-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission with paddle shifters is now an option — letting more drivers experience the GR Yaris without the clutch pedal commitment.
Inside, it’s putting the driver at the center of the action. A 12.3-inch digital display provides all the essential performance data, while a 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto keeps you connected. Safety tech also gets an upgrade, including a back monitor, Intelligent Clearance Sonar, and Toyota’s improved Safety Sense package. Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert add extra peace of mind, while Adaptive Cruise Control (M/T) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (A/T) make long drives easier.
The cockpit of the new GR Yaris blends performance with modern tech for the ultimate rally-inspired experience.
The New GR Yaris starts at P3,391,000 for the 1.6L Turbo M/T and P3,550,000 for the 1.6L Turbo A/T. It comes in four colors: Super White, Emotional Red, Precious Black and the newly introduced Precious Metal.
If you want to see it up close — and maybe even hear it scream down the track — head to Race Weekend 1 of the 2025 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup at Clark International Speedway on 22 March. Admission is free, so there’s no excuse to miss it.
For more information on the GR Yaris, customers may visit https://www.toyota.com.ph/gr-yaris or inquire at their nearest GR performance dealership today. To view the complete list of GR performance dealerships, visit https://www.toyota.com.ph/tgrphilippines/dealership.
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