Toyota has revealed two new Japanese-market special editions of the recently updated GR Yaris hot hatchback, each of which has been developed in collaboration with one of the brand's championship-winning rally drivers. Star drivers Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä have "supervised" the development of the two High Performance Editions, which have been showcased at the first round of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in Monte Carlo.
Lottery winners
Dubbed the High Performance Sébastien Ogier Edition and the High Performance Kalle Rovanperä Edition, the two cars have been developed on the orders of Toyota's chairman, Akio 'Morizo' Toyoda to thank "the drivers who hone and grow our cars in rallies." But they are very different propositions, thanks to the input of each driver into their own special-edition car.
Just 100 examples of each car will be built, with all 200 vehicles remaining in the Japanese company's domestic market. Would-be customers will have to enter "purchasing lotteries" that will be held at dealerships in the spring if they want to get their hands on a car.
Modus operandi
Exactly what the lucky 200 customers get will depend on which special edition they choose, but both cars are based on the Japanese market's range-topping version of the GR Yaris. That means they come with six-speed manual transmissions and the 280hp 1.6-litre petrol engine that sends power to all four wheels.
Both cars also get their own 4WD mode select switches, with different settings depending on the driver's preferences. Whereas a standard GR Yaris would get Gravel and Track modes, the Ogier Edition will come with Morizo and Seb modes. The former offers a torque distribution system designed by Morizo Toyoda himself - and favoured by eight-time WRC Drivers' Championship winner Ogier - while the latter provides a rear-biased all-wheel-drive set-up to "provide a sense of oneness with the vehicle... and contribute to shorter race times."
But that isn't all that sets the High Performance Sébastien Ogier Edition apart. Externally, the car will also get Matte Stealth Grey paint and WRC commemorative decals to commemorate the Frenchman's championship wins, while the colours of the French flag will adorn the grille. Other upgrades include blue brake callipers, 18-inch BBS alloy wheels with more French flag decoration, and a lightweight rally spoiler, as well as an Ogier Edition logo on the tailgate and Toyota Gazoo Racing decals on the doors.
Inside, the Ogier Edition will get another WRC commemorative badge on the passenger seat, an exclusive instrument display and French flag stitching on the steering wheel.
Kalle in the cavalry
In contrast, the High Performance Kalle Rovanperä Edition will get a Donut mode, which allows greater control during the drifts for which the two-time WRC Drivers' Championship winner is known, and a Kalle mode, which uses the car's specially installed rear differential to swing out the car's rear end on entering a corner and then drag the front of the car through the exit.
Then there's the three-tone Rovanperä Edition colour scheme designed around the driver's crash helmet and WRC victory decals, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels (this time without the French flag's colours) and the variable rear wing. As with the Ogier Edition, the Rovanperä Edition also gets its own logo on the tailgate and Toyota Gazoo Racing decals on the doors.
Inside, meanwhile, the Rovanperä Edition's steering wheel is stitched with the colours of the Finnish flag, and the same stitching also appears on the gear shift gaiter, the parking brake cover and the seats. More commemorative badging and an exclusive instrument display also feature as standard.
WRC mania
Whichever edition buyers choose, they will also get the chance to interact with drivers and team members at the 2024 WRC Rally Japan and see the cars up close and watch a special stage. Their names will be displayed on Toyota's WRC cars at selected rounds of the 2024 season, and they will be presented with "special commemorative gifts". Toyota says it hopes the "special experiences" will encourage buyers to "join in with the excitement of the WRC."