Latest news with #GRYaris'
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
We're racing at Zwartkops this weekend as the journey in the Toyota GR Cup Challenge continues
After three rounds, the Toyota Gazoo GR Cup Challenge moves to its 'home' base at Zwartkops Raceway outside Pretoria for the fourth installment of the National Extreme Festival this weekend. It's been almost six weeks since we first set eyes on our new GR Yaris' with its slick eight-speed Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) at the Aldo Scribante Circuit in Gqeberha, and I must say, I've missed being behind the wheel of the pink-liveried Independent Media and IOL car #60, affectionately dubbed Tinkerbell by the rest of the Media Challenge racers. Gazoo HQ Zwartkops is also the headquarters of Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) which brings with it the added pressure of performing in front of some of their executives, VIP guests, friends and family. As we head into the weekend I'm a lot less nervous than I was at the beginning of the season. Our race craft has improved significantly but you're still behind the wheel of a race car alongside 19 other GR Corollas driven by dealers and GR 86s piloted by GR Academy drivers so anything can happen, especially since most of us call Zwartkops our home circuit. There's a difference though between driving around the track at a launch with an instructor next to you as opposed to donning a race suit and then going hell for leather and side by side in a race.
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
HKS unleashes track-focused aero kit for Toyota GR Yaris
The Toyota GR Yaris has carved out a niche in the hot hatch segment based on its celebrated performance and raw, direct connection to Gazoo Racing's rallying heritage. If that hasn't been enough, Japanese tuning firm HKS has introduced a raft of aerodynamic upgrades dubbed the Type-S Gen2. Looking for a new or used Toyota? Find it here with CARmag! Looking like something out of a Need For Speed game, the kit isn't only cosmetic but is designed to tangibly improve the car's performance on the track through enhanced downforce. Central to the Type-S Gen2 package is a redesigned front splitter. Crafted from fibreglass with carbon fibre overlays, HKS claims this component aims to optimise airflow, generating increased downforce at the front axle. The result is improved steering precision and greater stability when cornering at high speeds. Complementing the splitter are new side skirts and a very hard-to-miss carbon fibre rear wing, which features unique mounts to ensure maximum aerodynamic efficiency. No figures on improvements have been revealed by the tuner, but HKS has hinted at a noticeable improvement in the GR Yaris' on-track handling characteristics. Related: From Couch to Competition – 2025 Toyota GR Cup Part 2 The reason behind this is that a GR Yaris equipped with these aerodynamic modifications is currently competing in the Japanese Super Endurance series. This real-world application in a competitive motorsport environment provides a rigorous proving ground for the components, validating their effectiveness under extreme conditions. However, the kit's availability is currently limited. Enthusiasts outside of Japan will be disappointed to learn that the HKS Type-S Gen2 package is presently exclusive to the Japanese market, with no immediate plans for international sales. For those in Japan, the front splitter retails for approximately ¥165 000 (around R20k), while the side skirts and rear wing are priced at roughly ¥132 000 each (approximately R16k). Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post HKS Unleashes Track-Focused Aero Kit for Toyota GR Yaris appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Citizen
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Toyota unleashes updated GR Yaris with auto box and more oomph
Red-hot hatch now sends 210kW of power to all four wheels via clever transmission. The World Rally Championship-inspired Toyota GR Yaris has arrived in South Africa. And for the first time, this hot hatch is available locally with an advanced automatic transmission, bringing its motorsport-inspired performance to an even wider audience. From its inception, the GR Yaris has been engineered as a rally car for the road. Developed in collaboration with Toyota Gazoo Racing and refined through rigorous testing on some of the most demanding rally stages in the world, the GR Yaris reflects Toyota's commitment to building ever-better cars through motorsport. The all-new eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) is a standout feature. This advanced gearbox has been engineered for rapid and responsive shifting. It allows the driver to focus more on steering and throttle input – particularly in dynamic driving scenarios. Unlike conventional automatics, the GR Yaris' DAT transmission uses predictive software that anticipates gear changes based on driver behaviour, ensuring shifts that are both intuitive and performance oriented. ALSO READ: Muscled-up Toyota GR Yaris revealed with new automatic 'box Clever auto box This new transmission has undergone extensive real-world and competition testing, including participation in events such as the Japan Rally Championship. It delivers shift speeds that meet professional driving standards, while maintaining the vehicle's mechanical reliability and heat resistance – essential for spirited driving. By introducing the DAT option, Toyota has made the GR Yaris more accessible to those who seek high-performance motoring without compromising on convenience or control. Whether driven in urban conditions or pushed to its limits on a track, the updated GR Yaris delivers an experience that is both exhilarating and refined. The updated Toyota GR Yaris benefits from an increase in engine output and now produces 210kW of power and 400Nm of torque from its turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine. It is up from 198kW and 360Nm and reaffirms its place as a leader in the performance hatch segment. Paired with Toyota's GR-FOUR all-wheel drive system, the vehicle offers exceptional grip, balance and agility across a variety of driving surfaces, whether on track, gravel, or public roads. Further enhancing the driving experience, the updated interior places a greater emphasis on driver ergonomics and control. A revised seating position, newly designed 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and repositioned controls inspired by rally use all contribute to a cockpit that supports precision and performance. ALSO READ: Back in time: Toyota GR Yaris meets its Yaris TS predecessor The updated Yaris also offers three drive modes (Sport, Normal, Eco), adapting steering, throttle and transmission response to suit both everyday driving and more focused use. The Toyota GR Yaris is available in Glacier White, Platinum Pearl White, Midnight Grey, Lunar Black and Fierce Red. It costs R897 400 for the manual and R925 300 for the DAT. All models come standard with a 90 000km (nine services) service plan and a three-year/100 000km warranty.
