Toyota’s updated GR models here soon 

A trio of Toyota’s updated GR sports models will be here early in the New Year. Coming in January, the revised GR Yaris, GR Corolla and a limited GR86 Hakone Edition will, according to Toyota NZ, “all offer something even more exciting and tantalising to the driver who wants to feel truly connected to the road”.

What’s new for the 2025 GR Yaris? 

Improvements for the GR Yaris for 2025 include yet more power from the highly-strung three-cylinder turbo. There’s another 21kW of power and 30Nm of torque on offer, now totalling 221kW and 400Nm. Purists will opt for the six-speed manual but there is also a new eight-speed ‘direct shift’ automatic transmission available. This should be quicker off the mark than the manual (and slightly more mechanically sympathetic) as it features a launch control function. The auto gains an additional cooling system for the ‘box. 

The GR Yaris also gets a new three-piece front bumper with bigger cooling holes. It supplies air to the new engine sub-radiator and cold air intake while the intercooler sprayer makes a comeback. GR has also ‘stiffened’ the front end to ‘improve stability through corners without losing its famous agility and cornering ability’.

Inside, is a newly designed instrument panel and an audio display. The driving position is lower by 25mm and a 12.3 inch full colour meter has been added.

The GR Corolla gains 30Nm over the old model (power unchanged) and also adds the option of the eight-speed auto. 

Read our 2023 Toyota GR Corolla vs 2023 Honda Civic Type R comparison review

New GR86 limited in numbers 

Meanwhile the new GR86 model derives its name from ‘a legendary Japanese winding forest road with multiple switchbacks’. They say the GR86 Hakone Edition ‘blends iconic heritage with race-ready prowess while injecting a modern edge to the twists and turns of your daily drives’.

It’s a paint colour special, having the same powertrain as the regular old GR86. The colour is Ridge Green (reminiscent of British Racing Greens) and it rides on Bronze painted alloy wheels. The Toyota global media site says the Ridge Green Limited (as its known in Japan) also gains a Brembo brake set-up and special Sachs dampers.

The seats are trimmed with ultrasuede and leather, have tan accents and stitching, and black perforations. The tan stitching is also present on the steering wheel, shift lever boot, door arm rests and parking brake lever. A unique gear shift knob features a bronze accent and Hakone Edition etching.

The GR86 Hakone Edition will be available in New Zealand in exceptionally limited numbers, only a few of which will feature a six-speed manual gearbox. Get in quick (before the next special edition arrives). 

There is no pricing as yet but, for your reference, the GR Yaris is currently listed at $59,990, as is the GR 86 and the GR Corolla is $65,990.

Toyota NZ says the new GR models will be available for test drives by GR enthusiasts in early 2025.