Evolved GR Yaris Gets WRC Driver-supervised Special Editions

Special GR Yaris Supervised by WRC Drivers’ Title Winners Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) held the world premiere today of the GR Yaris RZ “High performance・Sébastien Ogier Edition” (Ogier Edition) and the GR Yaris RZ “High performance・Kalle Rovanperä Edition” (Rovanperä Edition)—two special-edition vehicles based on the evolved GR Yaris—at the Rallye Monte Carlo, which is the first round of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Purchasing lotteries for sales of both models in Japan are to start this spring through GR Garage locations nationwide, with sales planned to be limited to 100 units each.

Both models, concepts of which were unveiled last year at Tokyo Auto Salon 2023, are special editions of the GR Yaris supervised by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) members Sébastien Ogier, who has won the WRC drivers’ title a total of eight times^*1, and Kalle Rovanperä, who consecutively won the WRC drivers’ title in 2022 and 2023. They were developed based on the desire of Chairman Akio Toyoda, a.k.a Morizo, to “express my respect and gratitude to the drivers who hone and grow our cars in rallies, to all the teams that provide us with such opportunities, and to rally organizers and all others involved, as well as to fans”. In addition to feedback from both drivers having been incorporated into interior and exterior changes and 4WD control, TGR-WRT-related special-experience programs are planned for special-edition purchasers with the hope that they will join in on the excitement of the WRC.

■Vehicle outline

• New 4WD control modes that replace the “GRAVEL” and “TRACK” modes on the standard GR Yaris have been developed exclusively for both special editions. The new modes for each special edition are described below.

Ogier Edition

Rovanperä Edition

• A newly developed (CFRP) lightweight rally spoiler for the Ogier Edition and the same (variable-wing, CFRP) rear spoiler as on the GRMN Yaris^*2 for the Rovanperä Edition improve aerodynamic characteristics.The GR Yaris RZ “High performance・Sébastien Ogier Edition”(Japanese market specifications, prototype)The GR Yaris RZ “High performance・Kalle Rovanperä Edition”(Japanese market specifications, prototype)
• The Ogier Edition comes in a new matte color called “Matte Stealth Gray”. The Rovanperä Edition features three-tone paint, which is applied in motifs by the designer of the helmet that Rovanperä uses when rallying, for colors that are achieved only by painting and without the use of car wrap or other colored adhesive sheets.
• WRC victory commemorative decals are attached to the left and right front fenders, commemorating winning of the WRC drivers’ title.
• The steering wheel stitch color matches the colors of the national flag of each driver’s home country (France for Ogier; Finland for Rovanperä). Also, an exclusive plate commemorating TGR’s winning of the WRC is mounted on the instrument panel in front of the passenger seat.The GR Yaris RZ “High performance・Sébastien Ogier Edition”(Japanese market specifications, prototype)The GR Yaris RZ “High performance・Kalle Rovanperä Edition”(Japanese market specifications, prototype)

▼The following equipment has been added to both models based on the GR Yaris RZ (six-speed manual transmission) in addition to the equipment found in the RZ “High performance” trim level^*3.

▼Purchaser benefits^*4

• At the 2024 WRC Round 13 Forum8 Rally Japan venue^*5
  • Interaction with the drivers and other team members
  • WRC car viewing and pit tour
  • Special Stage (SS) spectating
• Name displayed on WRC cars for the 2024 season (in selected rounds)
• Being presented with special commemorative gifts, etc.

In the run-up to the start of the purchasing lotteries, both models are scheduled to be exhibited in Japan at the plaza in front of the JR Gate Tower at Nagoya Station from February 15–18.

Click the following for information on the GR Yaris RZ “High performance・Sébastien Ogier Edition” and the GR Yaris RZ “High performance・Kalle Rovanperä Edition”
URL: https://toyotagazooracing.com/gr/yaris/ogier-rovanpera-edition/

• In 2013-2018, 2020 and 2021.
• “GRMN Yaris” is a marketing name. The name submitted for Japanese government certification and other purposes is “GR Yaris GRMN”.
• The main specifications (measured in-house) are the same as those for the evolved GR Yaris RZ “High performance” trim level.
• Purchaser benefits are subject to change.
• The same program is scheduled to be implemented at WRC European venues for vehicle purchasers in Europe.