Toyota GR Yaris auto coming
Automatic version of giant-killing Toyota GR Yaris hot hatch set to score a traditional torque-converter transmission rather than a fancy dual-clutch unit; also likely for GR CorollaJust days after it was confirmed a manual transmission was finally coming for the Toyota GR Supra, following the debut of the first Toyota GR Corolla and revelations the new Toyota GR 86 will be delayed until late this year for Australia, news has surfaced that the Toyota GR Yaris will get an automatic version.
According to
Instead of a dual-clutch automatic transmission, the car blog said Toyota revealed a GR Yaris development car with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic.
Changes to the GR Yaris to accommodate the new auto include a new front bumper that features two extra openings to make space for an additional transmission cooler, although it's unknown if the production version will repackage the extra radiator within the standard car's snout.
It's also not known where Toyota has sourced the new eight-speeder from, but according to the report Gazoo Racing engineers claim they've done plenty of extra development to ensure the automatic version of the pint-size hot hatch is worthy of the GR badge.
The new 'box will reportedly also offer its fastest shifts when left in Drive and, as well as being quicker than the standard six-speed manual version of the GR Yaris, engineers claim it will be smoother and more efficient than the manual, lowering CO2 the smallest Toyota GR model's emissions for European buyers.
As well as steering wheel shift paddles, the report said drivers of the GR Yaris auto will also be able to use the gear shifter, by pulling the lever downwards to trigger an upshift or pushing it upwards to down-change, mirroring most race cars with sequential transmissions.
As part of its development, the GR Yaris auto was reportedly driven on the same road stages as the rally cars by both engineers as well as Toyota's vice-chairman Shigeru Hayakawa, but during the test one of the prototype units broke.
Instead of simply bolting on an off-the-shelf transmission, Car Watch said engineers had to cut up a transmission originally meant for a four-cylinder to fit the pint-sized GR's three-pot turbo, suggesting the two-pedal Toyota hot hatch could still be many months away from sign-off.
As well as the GR Yaris, it's thought the recently-revealed GR Corolla will also be a beneficiary of the new swift-shifting auto. Neither the GR Corolla or GR Yaris auto have been officially confirmed for Australia, where the GR Yaris currently remains sold out.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
