Hatchback prepared for WRC-2 class
In 2024, a new car will appear on the rally special stages – Toyota has officially introduced the GR Yaris hatchback prepared by the Gazoo Racing factory racing division, which will compete in the World Rally Championship-2 junior standings.
The premiere of the new model took place as part of the FORUM8 Rally Japan world championship, home for the brand, and the new model was brought to the Okazaki City SSS dopa track in demonstration races by Toyota President Akio Toyoda and former WRC world champion Juha Kankkunen.
The car is built on the basis of a road hatchback, which was prepared for racing. In addition to the safety cage, racing seats, belts, and necessary accessories that are mandatory for rally racing, the car received minimal modifications.
The WRC-2 regulation implies the presence of a 1.6-liter gasoline turbo engine and all-wheel drive, and all cars in this class should have approximately equal performance. Currently, the GR Yaris is represented in the rally in the version of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 with a hybrid power plant according to the requirements of the WRC main class.
In 2022, the model brought the team and individual titles to the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT team and its Finnish driver Kalle Rovanpere. Recall that at the Ypres Rally Belgium race in Belgium, the premiere of the GR Yaris H2, a hatchback prepared for the classic rally with a hydrogen power plant, took place. Unlike the WRC-2 model, this car does not even have a tentative timeframe for its debut in racing.