Toyota has reintroduced the GR Yaris to the UK market with an aggressive new special edition – and discontinued the eight-speed automatic gearbox option.
Toyota's website previously stated that GR Yaris order books had been closed in the UK due to "exceptional demand", but the arrival of the Aero Performance car means that they're open once again.
However, it will not be available with the auto that was introduced when the hot hatch was facelifted last year, because the majority of buyers opted for the manual, a Toyota spokesperson confirmed to Autocar.
Moreover, the Aero Performance variant will be sold in "strictly limited numbers".
Priced from £48,995 (£2950 more than the regular GR Yaris), it brings a more aggressive look all around, with new ducts and vents to improve the car’s aerodynamic performance.
Up front, it gets a subtle new chin spoiler, developed by Toyota-backed outfit Rookie Racing, that is said to reduce lift.
The bonnet gets a larger vent to improve engine cooling and a flat floor has been fitted to smooth the flow of air under the car.
At the rear end, it gets a larger and adjustable roof-mounted spoiler.
New ducts have been cut into the front wings and the rear bumper to improve brake cooling and to further reduce turbulence under the car.
In addition to the aerodynamic tweaks, the Aero Performance gets a rally-style vertical handbrake lever.
The special edition is available to order now, exclusively from Toyota GR Centres. Deliveries will begin next March.
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I think they underpriced this car when first launched. It is a vanity project....probably losing money on every unit sold. It WAS, a bargain.
My guess is that having seen how popular the car is, they are now trying to reduce losses.
A great car but the price is a complete rip off, when the GR Yaris came on sale it started with a sub £30, this latest version is now priced at nearly £49k is beyond belief as most of these additions are mainly cosmetic and will add little or nothing to the car's performance. To show how much UK Toyota punters are being overcharged it worth looking how much the GR Corolla costs in the USA, the entry level price there is sub $40k or £34000, admittedly there are sales taxes on top of that but how can a mechanically similar car cost so much more here in the UK
50k, yes it's great to have cars like this but at the end if of the day it's still a 1.6, 3 pot, 3dr, manual with limited everyday appeal.
Sales certainly will be limited Mr Toyota so why not make a 30k car with a Fiesta ST thinking.