2025 TOYOTA

When Toyota Gazoo Racing unveiled the GR Yaris, it delivered something increasingly rare in the modern performance car landscape, a road car conceived with genuine competition at its heart. Developed with knowledge gained from the World Rally Championship, the GR Yaris features a dedicated platform, a turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual gearbox and the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, combining formidable traction with a wonderfully engaging driving experience. Its combination of compact dimensions, muscular performance and rally-bred engineering quickly established a devoted following, earning the car an enviable reputation among enthusiasts and an almost immediate cult status. As Top Gear put it, the GR Yaris was ‘hands down the best Toyota we've ever driven’. In an era increasingly dominated by electrification and automatic transmissions, its focused, analogue character and motorsport-derived engineering have made it one of the defining performance cars of its generation.

Created to celebrate Toyota Gazoo Racing’s World Rally Championship success, the Rovanperä Edition takes the GR Yaris concept a step further, with its development overseen by Kalle Rovanperä, the Finnish driver who became the youngest ever WRC Drivers’ Champion in 2022. Limited to just 200 numbered examples, this special edition is distinguished by its striking three tone red, white and black paintwork, bespoke graphics and lightweight 18-inch BBS alloy wheels. A carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic variable rear wing adds further visual drama, while a special rear differential and dedicated four-wheel-drive calibration give the car a character tailored to Rovanperä’s celebrated car control skills. Drivers can select between Normal, Donut and Kalle modes, the latter two offering distinct approaches to power distribution and vehicle behaviour. Inside, blue and grey stitching reflects the colours of the Finnish flag, while a commemorative WRC plaque and dedicated digital instrumentation underline the car’s special status. Far more than a cosmetic edition, the Rovanperä represents a distinctive, driver-focused interpretation of Toyota’s rally-bred hot hatch.

Offered here is car number #11 of 200, a 2025 model-year example showing only delivery mileage. Imported from Tokyo, it has been converted to MPH, English language and correctly registered for UK use under registration LJ74 EFH, with the V5C recording zero previous keepers. Its exceptionally low mileage and numbered status make it an especially appealing prospect for the collector seeking an example that remains as close as possible to new. The combination of a highly specialised specification, limited production and the direct involvement of one of rallying’s most exciting modern champions sets this GR Yaris apart from the already desirable standard model.

In summary, the Toyota GR Yaris Rovanperä Edition offers a rare opportunity to acquire a genuinely distinctive, competition-inspired performance car in virtually delivery-mile condition. With only 200 numbered examples produced, this is a compelling proposition for the enthusiast who values engineering substance as much as rarity. Equally at home as a prized addition to a serious collection or as a future focused modern classic to be enjoyed sparingly, this remarkable Toyota represents a rare chance to secure one of the most specialised and collectible performance hatches of its era.