Litchfield-perfected Toyota GR Yaris | Spotted
The GR Yaris responds brilliantly to mods - so how about one with all the good stuff already fitted?
There’s currently a Toyota Yaris for sale at £100,000. It’s one of the Ogier special editions, and it’s registered in the UK ready to roll - but that’s a breathtaking sum of money no matter how you look at it. The limited nature generally of the new 280hp model has further pushed prices of those up as well, with anything up to £55k being asked for delivery mileage examples. The days of adding a £2k Circuit Pack to a £30k Yaris seem like ancient history.
Even with strong residuals - the highest mileage cars are still £25k - the original GR does look extremely appealing given the difficulty and expense involved with a new one. Clearly, the Gen2 is an improvement, with extra power, the new interior and improved handling, but the first one wasn’t exactly bad to start with. That the interior change has felt like the most worthwhile adjustment goes to show what a brilliant little thing the GR was.
Without wishing to repeat too much of what’s been said countless times over, the Yaris felt like a return to the Japanese rally heroes that worked so well in Britain. And just like those cars, the Toyota responded very well to tuning, and it wasn’t long after the 2020 launch that more power, more excitement and more attitude was being coaxed from the turbo triple tearaway.
It was as early as January 2021 that Litchfield had demonstrators out with powertrain and handling tweaks, then May when PH filmed another one against a Golf R. Appetite was voracious, and you’ll see plenty of modified GRs out there now - because why wouldn’t you? Indeed there’s now every type of Yaris for sale secondhand, from low mileage and untouched ones to full rally reps to those wrapped yellow and those with wild bodykits. There’s something for everyone on planet GR.
This one appealed as a low mileage Circuit Pack, but also thanks to the host of Litchfield upgrades: the Nitron suspension kit, the tuning box for 300hp, a Milltek exhaust and braided brake lines. It should be an absolute hoot. Additionally, it’s had the wrap removed from the roof to expose the forged carbon (which is now protected) plus a set of 20mm spacers to butch up the dinky rally car even further. It looks great - and should continue to, thanks to full PPF.
Best of all, though, is the fact that this Yaris is for sale at Litchfield itself. So not only will the car be familiar to them, it’s also in the best place if the next owner wants to modify it further. Because there are a whole host of parts still left to explore, from roll cages to Exedy clutches. Maybe there’s a deal to be done on including additional upgrades in the purchase price, which is currently £31,995. It’s a tempting proposition, that’s for sure, even more so than a standard GR already is. And the total spend could still be a lot less than a new one - let alone £100,000.
SPECIFICATION | TOYOTA GR YARIS
Engine: 1,618cc, three-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 261@6,500rpm (standard)
Torque (lb ft): 266@3,000-4,600rpm (standard)
0-62mph: 5.5 seconds
Top speed: 143mph (electronically limited)
MPG: 34.3
CO2: 186g/km
Price new: £34,620 (Circuit Pack, 2022)
Yours for: £31,995
Then you get on to the interior, with a better dash with more information available (useful for track days) better visibility and the lower seating position.
Yes many things that can be changed with modifying but as 2 stock cars I think anyone would be hard to disagree that the new version is the better car to drive.
The issue with the Litchfield car though is the Nitron suspension. It’s great for the garage queens but for those using the car it’s 12,000 miles for a suspension service so annually if you’re getting good miles in.
Then you get on to the interior, with a better dash with more information available (useful for track days) better visibility and the lower seating position.
Yes many things that can be changed with modifying but as 2 stock cars I think anyone would be hard to disagree that the new version is the better car to drive.
Toyota literally addressed every criticism levelled at the original GRY with the gen 2. It's hard to believe that anyone would argue against it being a better car.
Toyota literally addressed every criticism levelled at the original GRY with the gen 2. It's hard to believe that anyone would argue against it being a better car.
Then you get on to the interior, with a better dash with more information available (useful for track days) better visibility and the lower seating position.
Yes many things that can be changed with modifying but as 2 stock cars I think anyone would be hard to disagree that the new version is the better car to drive.
Toyota literally addressed every criticism levelled at the original GRY with the gen 2. It's hard to believe that anyone would argue against it being a better car.
Just me?
The rest of it looks good though, but my question is, if these were so good to start with, why did it need any of this?
TX.
TX.
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