The speed of the WRC Toyota Yaris has never been in doubt, but to date no-one has built or competed in the road-going version, the GR Yaris launched back in February at the Tokyo Motorshow.
That is all about to change with APRC team Cusco Racing entering a rally version of the GR Yaris in the Tour de Kyushu, Round 3 of 2020 All Japan Rally Championship.
The Cusco Yaris is to be driven by Hiroshi Yanagisawa with co-driver Takahiro Yashui, entered in the top JN-1 class and where their main rivals will be the high-powered Subaru WRX’s and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X’s powered by 2.0-litre turbo engines.
The Yaris will have a slight weight advantage and the technology in the car is the latest generation compared to its aging rivals, but the heart of GR Yaris is a 1.6L 3-cylinder turbo, a more modern production engine but currently without the power of the Subaru’s and Mitsubishi’s.
The maximum output of the road-going turbo engine in the GR Yaris is 200kW (272PS) and the maximum torque is 370Nm, a phenomenal amount of power in a hatchback car, but the EJ20 engine of the All Japan Rally version of the Subaru WRX for example, boosts 227kW (308PS) and 422Nm and therefore the Cusco Yaris will have a power disadvantage.
Cusco however are looking at the long-term with a plan over the coming months to not only increase the engine power, but also to develop other aspects of the car including suspension, handling, and weight reduction.
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