Report: Toyota GR Yaris ‘Evolution II’ In Development With More Power And 8AT Option

It appears that the Toyota GR Yaris will undergo a facelift in 2024 with a power bump and an 8AT transmission option added.

According to Japan’s Best Car website, a face-lifted iteration of the Toyota GR Yaris is currently in the works for a planned debut in Jan 2024. The site alleges that production will begin around the same time with domestic deliveries slated to begin in early 2024 too.

The site also reports that the refreshed hot hatch could adopt an ‘Evolution II’ moniker. Besides styling tweaks, the updated model is poised to see its 1.6-litre 3-cyl turbo heart’s output increased from 268 HP to 296 HP, whilst torque remains at 370 NM – essentially matching the output with the larger GR Corolla model.

Whilst the 6-speed manual is retained, the 2024 facelift model is set to see a new 8-speed automatic option available too.

The 1.6-litre 3-cyl turbo is also set to see its output raised from 268 HP to 298 HP, essentially matching the larger GR Corolla's figure.

A more notably detail the site reports is that, besides the familiar 6-speed manual transmission, Toyota is set to offer this face-lifted GR Yaris ‘Evolution II’ with an 8-speed automatic option as well. The report adds that it’s a speed-focused torque-converter type and not a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) type.

The automaker has reportedly been developing said transmission over the last 18 months or so via a specially-prepared GR Yaris competing in a domestic rally championship as a means to prove its durability. From which, Toyota reportedly seeks to field the hardware into production models too.

Expect the refreshed GR Yaris to also gain a new 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel lifted from the GR Corolla too, plus a host of styling tweaks inside and out.

These key hardware changes and additions aside, Best Car also expects the GR Yaris ‘Evolution II’ gain other new bits such as a new 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument panel replacing the current car’s analogue unit lifted from the GR Corolla.

As for styling, it reports on a new front fascia plus a larger new rear spoiler being added in the mix. Stock of the Toyota GR Yaris is limited in the markets in which it is sold. Orders are currently paused in Japan and, given reports of this alleged face-lift model’s development, said pause might stretch longer too.

Locally, UMW Toyota Motor launched the GR Yaris back in Dec 2020 with just 200 units on offer, each primed with the Performance pack and tagged at RM299,000.

Locally, UMW Toyota Motor launched the GR Yaris in Dec 2020, but just 200 units were up for grabs, each tagged at RM299,000. Said official import came laced with the Performance Pack that adds a Torsen limited slip diff (LSD), and 18-inch BBS forged wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

Beyond that, plenty have also found their way into the lots of local parallel importers and used car dealers, some even listed here on our platform by our dealer partners. Prices range between RM187,500 and RM358,000, which you can view by clicking these blue words…