New Toyota GR Yaris first drive - best WRC homologation hot hatch? // The Late Brake Show

Finally Jonny gets to drive the Toyota GR Yaris - but is it the best WRC homologation hot hatch creation ever? Certainly there haven't been many in recent living memory. What happens when a sensible car company like Toyota returns to world rally and decides it wants to DOMINATE? Its boss Akio Toyoda (who is handy behind the wheel of his AE86 Corolla) gets all dewy eyed about 1990s Celica GT-Fours and ridiculously proportioned homologation road cars from the 80s, and green lights the development of the Gazoo Racing Yaris. It is a Yaris in name and headlights, nothing more. This thing is the most powerful three cylinder engine in production, with 1.6 litres and a ball bearing turbo kicking out 257bhp. It has 4WD with an electro magnetic decouple to the rear axle when you yank on the manual handbrake. Yes, manual handbrake. And manual gears. It has optional Torsen LSDs, forged wheels, bigger brakes than the GR Supra, a pedal box set up to heel-and-toe, no lame exhaust pipe embellishments. Instead the £30,000 (£269 per month 0% with 24 month PCP and 25% deposit) GR Yaris is Toyota's late entry into Group B WRC, but for 2021. They have to sell 25,000 of these to become eligible for WRC next year, and I think that won't be a problem. Rest assured Jonny believes that it is an instant classic - with vibes of Subaru WRX STi and Tommi Makinen Mitsubishi Evo. Funny that, as Tommy helped develop this car with Akio Toyoda to conquer the tarmac, gravel and snow. And also daily commutes to work. Frustratingly Jonny didn't get chance to push the GR nearly as hard as he'd like, due to a short filming day just before the second UK lockdown in a busy spot. People were everywhere and no country road seemed to be quiet enough to fully uncork this Gazoo Racing oddball. Hopefully you will get a flavour of what the car is about. Better brake late than never, eh? ***** New website is live: http://www.thelatebrakeshow.com Jonny's CarPervert merch now available: http://www.thelatebrakeshow.com/merch Thank you for watching The Late Brake Show. If you haven't already, SUBSCRIBE for a broad-church of automotive appreciation spanning EV, classic, modified and future tech. Thank you to all Patron subscribers. Want to be a Late Brake Show Patreon supporter? https://www.patreon.com/TheLateBrakeShow ****** Filmed by: Michael Rock Perring - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rock-perring-218537a1/?originalSubdomain=uk Edited by: Mark Hankins - @Inksharkman - InkShark Studio Thumbnail by: Matt Tarrant Design https://matttarrantdesign.com ******* Jonny Smith aka CarPervert Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98 Website: http://www.carpervert.comInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/jonnycarpervert Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/carpervert CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro #toyotagryaris #gryaris #toyotawrc #gryarisreview #latebrakeshow

Added 5 Jul 2026