Toyota has revealed two special editions of the GR Yaris named after two of its World Rally Championship drivers. But it is not clear if they are planned for Australia.
Two special edition versions of the Toyota GR Yaris hot hatchback have been revealed to celebrate the company’s victory in the World Rally Championship (WRC) last year.
He GR Yaris The models, Kalle Rovanperä Edition and Sébastien Ogier Edition, are named after two of the Japanese car giant’s WRC drivers, who led Toyota to his second consecutive world rally title, and made Rovanperä the youngest drivers’ champion in WRC history.
The two special editions are marked as concepts for now, however it is suggested that they are previews of future limited edition models. Toyota says that “the release date and vehicle details of this model will be released in the future.”
It is unclear if either model, based on the locally sold GR Yaris Rallye or “RZ High Performance” as it is known in Japan, will be offered in Australia, or if they will be Japanese exclusives. Handle has contacted the company for comment.
The Kalle Rovanperä edition is the more radical of the pair, with a red and white racing livery inspired by Toyota’s WRC competition cars, the rear wing from last year’s track-focused GRMN Yaris edition, a black front splitter , red brake calipers and gloss black 18-inch forged alloy wheels.
Meanwhile, the Sébastien Ogier Edition uses matte gray paint, black door decals and blue brake calipers, plus a smaller rear wing than the Kalle Rovanperä Edition and no front splitter.
Inside, each car has contrast stitching inspired by the flag of each driver’s nation: blue and silver for Finnish driver Rovanperä, and blue, white and red for French ace Ogier, while each has a license plate. special construction that honors the importance of each car and a new all-wheel drive Mode Selector.
Both cars inherit the engine tune of the powered-up GRMN Yaris production special edition, powering the 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder at the exits of 200kW and 390Nm – up to 20 Nm.
Toyota says that “for those who signed a contract for the same model, we are considering publishing the test in the WRC competition car as a partner fighting together in the WRC, and providing the opportunity to speak with Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä.”
It’s unclear exactly what this will entail, but during the unveiling of the cars, Toyota Gazoo Racing boss Koji Sato spoke of “special experiences” for special edition buyers.
The launch timing and final specifications of the production versions of the Toyota GR Yaris Kalle Rovanperä and Sébastien Ogier Edition concepts have yet to be confirmed.
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