Toyota Unveils Mid-Engined GR Yaris Prototype at TAS 2025

Toyota has silently unveiled a special GR Yaris prototype, featuring a mid-mounted 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbocharged powertrain.

Toyota has a pretty serious lineup for this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS 2025) show, which includes the likes of several rally-inspired hot hatches, to name a few. Silently making its appearance in the midst of that is a special mid-engined hot-hatch prototype based on the GR Yaris, cordially known as the Toyota GR Yaris M Concept.

While the GR Yaris M Concept already made headlines from its different powertrain layout, what really piqued our interest in this mid-engined hot hatch lies in the engine itself. Instead of using the standard GR Yaris’ G16E 1.6-litre 3-cyl turbocharged engine, this special prototype features the brand’s new 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbopetrol mill.

As of now, no official power output was provided by Toyota, although many reports from Japan have suggested that this new four-banger mill will be good enough to produce up to 395 HP for the road-going applications and 592 HP for racecar use.

Given the cylinder count and its peculiar layout on the GR Yaris M Concept, many have speculated that this special prototype is serving as a test mule for Toyota’s upcoming mid-engined performance model, possibly the long-awaited successor to the MR2, which reportedly will arrive in 2026. Not to forget, said engine is also rumored to power the modern-day successor to the Celica.

According to Toyota’s official statement, the GR Yaris M Concept was designed to “further explore the potential of the GR Yaris,” with plans to race this mid-engined hot hatch in the upcoming Super Taikyu Series in Japan. In the series, the prototype will be “repeatedly driven to failure and then repaired in the extreme conditions of racing,” incorporating feedback from Master Driver Morizo himself (the racing pseudonym for Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda) and professional drivers.

Toyota GR Yaris Aero Package prototype

While we’re still debating the possible outcome of the GR Yaris M Concept, Toyota has also introduced a new aero package for the facelifted GR Yaris rally-hatch. Known as the GR Yaris Aero Package prototype, this package is developed with the help of professional drivers on track, featuring six new aero parts such as a new vented front hood, side gills, extra openings at the rear bumper, as well as a roof-mounted rear spoiler with multiple adjustable angles.

Toyota GR Yaris Nur 24h racecar

In addition to that, Toyota has also revealed its latest GR Yaris racecar developed specifically for the 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race, which is the brand’s first entry after a six-year hiatus. Known as the GR Yaris Nur 24h, this Nurburgring racer comes with a redesigned bodykit that includes a massive roof-mounted spoiler, plus a special Nurburgring livery.

Aside from the Green Hell, this GR Yaris racecar will also be competing in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series under the Toyota Gazoo Racing Rookie team banner.

Besides these special GR Yaris, Toyota’s product lineup at TAS 2025 also includes a special Land Cruiser GR Sport Dakar Rally 2025 Specification, several other GR racecars, and even a collection of classic models from the Morizo Garage collection.