Online order books open for Toyota Yaris GR

Toyota has adapted its ordering system for its new Yaris GR hot hatch to help customers desperate to reserve theirs during lockdown.

While showrooms remain closed, Toyota has created a dedicated online pre-ordering service for its fire-breathing supermini so customers can reserve their cars without having to visit a dealership or compromise observing social distancing.

To reserve a car via the gateway, customers need to set up a free My Toyota account, then choose their preferred GR Yaris grade and colour. They next pay the vehicle reservation fee of £1,500 and nominate their preferred dealer for organising finance options, insurance and vehicle delivery.

The Yaris GR is due to arrive in the UK in October priced from £29,995 and is a homologation model for Toyota’s planned return to the World Rally Championship.

Developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing and Tommi Mäkinen Racing, the new GR Yaris is Toyota’s first genuine all-wheel drive sports car and its first homologation model for the WRC since the end of production of the Celica GT-Four in 1999.

It uses a new, dedicated platform that combines elements of the current Yaris and Corolla , with bespoke suspension design and a GR-Four all-wheel drive system. The body is a three-door shape with a significantly lowered roofline and features panels made of carbon fibre and aluminium help keep weight down. While it looks faintly Yaris shaped, not a panel is shared with the standard car.

Under the bonnet, a new 1.6-litre, three-cylinder engine has been turbocharged and tuned to produce a massive 257bhp and 266lb/ft of torque. Matched to the all-wheel-drive system and a six-speed manual gearbox it will get the GR Yaris to 62mph in 5.5 seconds and on to 143mph.The standard Yaris GR spec includes GR-Four all-wheel drive, GR sports suspension, GR sports seats upholstered in Ultrasuede, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust tailpipes, smart entry and Active Noise Control.

The GR Yaris Circuit Pack costs an extra £35,00 and introduces lightweight components and performance parts, including 18-inch forged alloy wheels with Michelin Sport Pilot 4s tyres, circuit-tuned GR suspension, two Torsen limited-slip differentials and red-painted brake callipers.