Toyota Yaris GRMN - Geneva 2017

Three-door only, Torsen diff, Sachs dampers... it's looking good for Toyota's hot hatch return

While the hot hatch focus is inevitably on the latest Fiesta ST and the new Civic Type R at Geneva, there is a third car that seems well worthy of some PH attention: the Yaris GRMN.

GRMN? Yes, that stands for Gazoo Racing (Toyota's motorsport outfit) by Meister of the Nurburgring. Seriously. Well what's a fast Japanese car without a daft name?

Still, what's under the badge (and the body) sounds very promising indeed. There still isn't yet a final power output from the 1.8-litre supercharged engine, though Toyota is promising more than 205hp as well as a class-leading 0-62mph and 50-75mph in fourth gear time. The gearbox is a six-speed manual, with a standard Torsen limited-slip differential.

In addition there's a strengthened chassis, new springs, a larger front anti-roll bar and dampers developed with Sachs. Yes, the same company which made dampers for the original Clio Trophy. All this has been subject to "extensive testing" on the Nurburgring - in a Yaris! - with "significant input from Toyota Gazoo Racing's motorsport activities." Sounds exciting.

Outside it's fairly modest, at least in this supercar-stuffed show environment. Positives include BBS wheels and a three-door only body, though the rather apologetic centre exhaust (hiding a much smaller pipe) and diffuser are less convincing.

The inside is good though, with a chunky and supportive seat complemented by a wheel straight from the GT86 and a simple, round gearknob. Yes, you sit a bit high and there's a lot that's familiar from the regular Yaris, but there's plenty to be encouraged by. Sales are due to commence in early 2018, with a price and availability following this year - consider us excited!