To acquire WRC homologation, the base model of a vehicle to be entered in a race must have a continuous 12-month production volume of 25,000 units or greater.
Toyota is accepting online-only pre-orders in Japan for two special editions of the GR Yaris - the RZ "First Edition" priced at 3.96 million yen (RM147,402) and the RZ "High-performance First Edition" priced at 4.56 million yen (RM169,736).
Pre-orders will be accepted from Jan 10 to June 30.
READ MORE: CarSifu drives Toyota GR Yaris in Portugal
The RZ "First Edition", based on the GR Yaris' RZ grade, will don customized specifications in the form of its front grille, front side diffusers, rear spoiler, and rear bumper all being in matte black.
As for the RZ "High-performance First Edition", also based on the GR Yaris' RZ grade, has high-performance equipment (Torsen limited-slip differential, intercooler with cooling-spray function) with heightened performance limits, plus BBS forged aluminum wheels in matte black.
Production will be carried out on a dedicated production line at Toyota's Motomachi Plant, which has a long and solid track record of manufacturing sports cars, and plans are for assembly to be carried out by takumi (master craftsperson) team members.
Based on the knowledge and know-how accumulated by Toyota Gazoo Racing and competing in the WRC (World Rally Championship), the GR Yaris was developed together with Tommi Mäkinen Racing from the ground up to be a WRC winner.
The GR Yaris employs a sports 4WD platform based on the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) approach.
The newly developed "GR-FOUR" sports 4WD system, which uses a front and rear variable driving force system enabled by a multi-plate clutch, transfers the power to all four wheels with minimal loss.
The upper body, in addition to using aluminum for the hood, trunk lid, and door panels, features a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic roof panel formed using the sheet molding compound method.
Engine variations include a 1.6-liter in-line three-cylinder direct-injection turbo engine with the world's highest maximum output for a three-cylinder engine of 200 kW (272ps), mated to a six-speed iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission).
