Toyota has made a bonkers mid engine GR Yaris!
Toyota Unveils the GR Yaris M Concept: A Bold Evolution in Performance Engineering
No Tokyo Motor Show would be complete without Toyota unveiling something truly bonkers. This year, alongside the two-seat GRMN Yaris and the striking FT-Se concept, the brand has pushed the boundaries once again with the introduction of the GR Yaris M Concept, a mid-engine transformation of the infamous GR Yaris. Unlike third party tuning projects, this radical concept is a factory built masterpiece, reinforcing Toyota’s reputation for bold innovation.
Exploring the Potential of the GR Yaris
Officially designed to "explore the potential of the GR Yaris," the M Concept is as ambitious as it is groundbreaking. This isn’t just a simple powertrain swap; Toyota has completely reimagined the car’s layout, relocating the engine to the middle for a dramatic shift in dynamics. The concept also ditches the familiar G16E-GTS turbocharged three-cylinder in favour of a newly developed 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. While details remain scarce at best, given Toyota already extracts 300 horsepower from the smaller three cylinder in the Corolla, expectations are high for this new powerplant, who knows, maybe it could exceed 400 horsepower?!
Race Ready Innovation
Though specific details remain limited, it’s clear that the GR Yaris M Concept is being developed with motorsport in mind. The car appears track-ready, sitting low on its wheels, featuring Bride racing seats, an aggressive wide rear track, and gold heat shielding in the engine bay. Toyota Gazoo Racing has emphasized that this project is more than just an experimental prototype; it represents a philosophy of "driver-first" carmaking. The team’s approach involves pushing the vehicle to its limits in extreme racing conditions, gathering feedback from professional and amateur drivers alike, and refining the car through rigorous testing and development.
The Future of the GR Yaris M Concept
While the GR Yaris M Concept is currently positioned as a race-focused project, its unveiling raises exciting possibilities for future production models. Toyota’s commitment to performance engineering and motorsport development suggests that elements of this concept could influence future high performance road cars, could this even be a test rig for the new rumoured MR2?
As Toyota Gazoo Racing continues to push boundaries, the GR Yaris M Concept is undoubtedly a project to watch. Whether it leads to a homologation special or remains an exclusive track machine, one thing is certain, Toyota is keeping the spirit of innovation alive for driving enthusiasts worldwide.