Toyota GR Yaris RS debuts in Japan

A new Toyota GR Yaris RS hot hatch has been launched in Japan to appeal to those who buy into the idea of a white-hot Yaris super-hatch but can't quite stump up the cash for the real thing.

Featuring the same imposing wide-hipped body, bespoke aero package, twin exhaust outlets and ultra-wide stance, the RS version looks identical to the full-fat GR Yaris.

Under the skin, alas, it's a different story.

The RS misses out on the GR Yaris' trick all-wheel drive, while under the bonnet -- instead of the punchy 200kW specially-developed 1.6-litre three-cylinder petrol engine -- is a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre Dynamic Force engine that musters just 88kW and 148Nm of torque.

Worse still, the less powerful engine also misses out on the GR Yaris' slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission and gets the car-maker's Direct Shift-CVT auto instead.

The good news is engineers have given the RS a bespoke suspension tune and, weighing in at 1130kg, it's a hefty 150kg lighter than the all-wheel drive GR Yaris, making up some of its performance deficit.

However, there's no official claim for how quick (or slow) the GR Yaris RS is.

Either way, it's unlikely the lukewarm hot hatch will ever venture outside of Japan and it's the same story for the special GR Yaris RC version that's also been created for the Japanese market.

Created for those who plan to track or rally their GR Yaris, the RC gets the high-output turbo three-pot and all-wheel drive, but ditches equipment like the infotainment system to shave around 30kg off its kerb weight in the pursuit of performance.

Since it was first announced, Toyota says it has received more than 6000 pre-orders for the GR Yaris in Japan and Europe.

In Japan, customers who placed orders online early will be offered two special-editions, the GR Yaris RZ High-performance First Edition and the GR Yaris RZ First Edition.

The first batch of cars come with matte-black paint on their aero elements, as well as unusual marble-pattern carbon-fibre roofs. Both limited-edition models also come with premium sport seats and a windscreen signed by Toyota boss Akio Toyoda.

Based on the latest Toyota Yaris due on sale in Australia in August, the all-new GR hot hatch -- and the all-new Yaris Cross crossover -- will arrive here by the end of this year.