Toyota GR Yaris Circuit Pack

Toyota GR Yaris Circuit Pack

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ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,016 posts

164 months

Monday 4th January 2021
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So before I begin with my current car here's the very short history of the cars I have owned (from a copy and paste from my last thread.

My first car:



(The only decent photo I have and no it's not the Ralt racing car sadly)

A 1999 Citroen Xsara VTR 1.8 16v, 112bhp and a 0-60 of 9.1 as a first car I gave it hell and it survived everything I gave it, I also knew when pushing it to much as it had a tendency to lift a wheel, sadly I sold it after buying my second car for £500 and this is something I've regretted ever since, I had great fun with that car and it lasted me 3-4 years of solid motoring.

I then wanted something more sporty I looked at RX8's and TypeR's but a move in jobs meant I was commuting 500 miles a weekend to see the girlfriend of the time so decided to go for a more economical choice a 2007 Honda Civic TypeS GT.



The best bit about the car was the colour Deep Bronze Pearl



138bhp with a 0-60 of 8.6, it served me well but I found it a dull car to drive but on a B road the handling was solid and just about managed to hang on to friends in higher powered cars on drive outs



Here it is on a Boxing Day drive out, a memory that I will hold forever. In the photo is Blancpain GT driver Dean Stoneman and sadly 2 friends who have passed away Dean Palling (In a car accident) and Mike Lovell (P1 Powerboat accident)

4 years ago I then moved onto an Abarth 595 Competizione with performance pack (LSD). More about it can be found in my thread here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...





180bhp 0-60 6.5, it served me well as my daily along with a couple of trips to the Nurburgring, my first track day, my first auto solo and numerous European trips. It certainly had a lot of character and I genuinely miss it but it was time to move on to something with a bit more power.

So just as I was deciding that I’d get rid of the Abarth so Toyota announced the GR Yaris SaveFerris on Pistonheads is a local Toyota dealer and so I contacted him for a bit of info back in March when the order book opened however a house sale dragging on I decided not to put a deposit down.

June was soon upon us and now in the new house I decided to put a deposit down whilst also keeping an open mind about what the finished car would be like and what other cars could I get for similar money. Cars I considered:

Hyundai i30n
BMW M135i
Mercedes A35 AMG
Mini GP3
Civic typeR

Most I ruled out although pretty capable that just weren’t for me. The civic typeR probably is the car for me but whilst I couldn’t care what others think of me and my car I just cannot look at one without thinking it looks awful. However the Hyundai i30n peaked my interest and kept popping up especially when they have announced an automatic coming soon, so of course I went for a manual!

So I was fortunate enough to get one of the first cars in the country mainly because I went for an optional colour which cost a bit more, after a few delays caused by press embargo’s my car arrived at Snow’s Waterlooville about a week after I had a test drive.





I requested that the car not be cleaned and collected it and took it straight over to Tim at Envy car care in Gosport who did a fabulous job.













So onto the spec:

ENGINE

1618cc , straight 3 cylinders

Max power output - 257bhp @ 6500rpm (most euro cars dynod around 270bhp

Max torque - 360Nm @ 3000-4600rpm

Turbo - Single scroll

TRANSMISSION, DRIVETRAIN

Gearbox - 6 speed Manual iMT
Drivetrain - 4WD, normal 60:40, sport 30:70, track 50:50

Suspension

Front: Mac-Pherson suspension with anti roll-bar
Rear: Trailing double wishbone with anti roll-bar

Braking system

Front: Drilled and ventilated 356mm 2-piece front brake discs, four-piston aluminium fixed brake calipers

Rear: Drilled and ventilated 297mm rear brake discs, two-piston aluminium fixed brake callipers

PERFORMANCE

Top Speed - 142 mph limited

Acceleration 0-62 mph - 5.5 sec

Performance Pack

Torsen Limited-Slip Differential
Thicker front antiroll bar
Stiffer front suspension springs
18” BBS forged wheels with Michelin pilot sport4s tyres
Red calipers

Audio

Apple CarPlay standard system


I’m at 901 miles after a month the first 620 running it in as per the manual to a degree and mainly in wet weather plus a bit of commuting. The biggest thing is you go round a corner think how well it gripped look at the speedo and it’s 10-20mph quicker than you probably should have been. If I’m going to get a ticket I expect it to be this car!

The car will be a daily driver, will do some auto solos and will be off to the Nurburgring in May (if Covid allows) so hopefully the miles will soon build up.


PeteSV

54 posts

162 months

Monday 4th January 2021
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Very nice. Very jealous too! Looks fantastic in that colour.

Koolkat969

987 posts

98 months

Monday 4th January 2021
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Finally, a readers car thread of the GR Yaris on Pistonheads. I was wondering why it took so long. How does it compare to the Abarth in both performance and practicality?

Col 666

1,073 posts

212 months

Monday 4th January 2021
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Lucky you, it looks fantastic in that colour.
I've been running a slightly modified 595 Competizione for nearly 2 years and love it, if it wasnt for Covid and work being very thin on the ground I would have stuck a deposit down on a Yaris last year.
How do they compare? I'm sure my work will pick up very soon but Im in 2 minds whether to go for the Yaris or throw £5k at the Abarth and make it even more manic than it already is! As much as I lust after the Yaris i'm not sure i'd have any more fun in it than the wee Fiat.......and its over £20k cheaper!

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,016 posts

164 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
Koolkat969 said:
Finally, a readers car thread of the GR Yaris on Pistonheads. I was wondering why it took so long. How does it compare to the Abarth in both performance and practicality?
I’d been meaning to post it up a week or so ago but I’ve been so consumed by all the other threads I didn’t think there would be any interest.

I was actually discussing the differences today with a colleague who purchased an Abarth 595 Competizione after my constant raving about mine.

Performance wise it is a huge step forward nearly 2 seconds to 60 quicker and grip levels that just don’t seem to disappear. I have had a few slides in the Yaris but only through excessive speeds on large roundabouts in what could be considered appalling weather where I’m just trying to find where the limits of the car is.

Yaris pros:

Faster
More grip
No rattles in the cabin
Styling (in my opinion)
Carplay (my Abarth was meant to come with CarPlay as a demonstrator but got delayed so they binned it off for a year)
With seats down flat floor with more interior space

Abarth pros:
The exhaust sound (despite sounding like a tractor at idle having it bang on an upshift when pushing on was always amusing/satisfying)
Interior (whilst the interior is clearly bolted together better in the Yaris the Abarth felt special especially with the carbon backed seats. I also think they gripped better and will notice a difference on track)

Whilst mpg does not bother me I’m currently getting 27mpg compared to an average (over 45,000miles) of 37mpg with the Abarth that’s going to get a bit boring when heading to Europe a few times a year but I’m hoping that will improve on a long journey.

The Abarth I’ve always said was a childish car, in 4 years I always had a laugh driving the car even on the commute, the Yaris feels more sensible and seems to blend in with the world around it, the plus side though is that I’ve encountered less idiots so far than I’d normally meet in the Abarth or our C1 that may change as more people know what the car is.

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,016 posts

164 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
Col 666 said:
Lucky you, it looks fantastic in that colour.
I've been running a slightly modified 595 Competizione for nearly 2 years and love it, if it wasnt for Covid and work being very thin on the ground I would have stuck a deposit down on a Yaris last year.
How do they compare? I'm sure my work will pick up very soon but Im in 2 minds whether to go for the Yaris or throw £5k at the Abarth and make it even more manic than it already is! As much as I lust after the Yaris i'm not sure i'd have any more fun in it than the wee Fiat.......and its over £20k cheaper!
If Abarth made a new 695 biposto I’m sure I’d be in that. I’d prefer something a bit more hardcore but the GP3’s arches and the reviews discounted that car.

For me I prefer to spend the top of my limit on something that’s already capable with warranty than buy cheap and modify. It always amazes me the amount of people buying a turismo then spending more than a comp “because I want to put my stamp on it” and yet they come out with a lesser car (obviously different when you start with a comp).

I think the Yaris will certainly shine over winter but may lose its edge come summer and the warmer and drier weather. But as we have more wet than dry I think it’s perfect for the UK conditions. I will consider a remap, exhaust and pads/lines but will leave it a year.

But back to how they compare it really is a huge jump in performance at the cost of character.

Col 666

1,073 posts

212 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
ecsrobin said:
If Abarth made a new 695 biposto I’m sure I’d be in that. I’d prefer something a bit more hardcore but the GP3’s arches and the reviews discounted that car.

For me I prefer to spend the top of my limit on something that’s already capable with warranty than buy cheap and modify. It always amazes me the amount of people buying a turismo then spending more than a comp “because I want to put my stamp on it” and yet they come out with a lesser car (obviously different when you start with a comp).

I think the Yaris will certainly shine over winter but may lose its edge come summer and the warmer and drier weather. But as we have more wet than dry I think it’s perfect for the UK conditions. I will consider a remap, exhaust and pads/lines but will leave it a year.

But back to how they compare it really is a huge jump in performance at the cost of character.
Thanks for the reply. Yeah the Yaris must be like night and day in the winter compared to an Abarth.
There is one thing they will have in common and thats trying to explain to non-car people what it is. People have no idea what an Abarth is and I'd imagine telling people you have a Toyota Yaris will have you trying to explain what makes it so special too.

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,016 posts

164 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
Col 666 said:
Thanks for the reply. Yeah the Yaris must be like night and day in the winter compared to an Abarth.
There is one thing they will have in common and thats trying to explain to non-car people what it is. People have no idea what an Abarth is and I'd imagine telling people you have a Toyota Yaris will have you trying to explain what makes it so special too.
I’m not precious. If people asked I used to own “a sporty Fiat 500” I now own “a Toyota Yaris” people think I’m saving the world so I’m like a god to most people......

Koolkat969

987 posts

98 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
ecsrobin said:
I’d been meaning to post it up a week or so ago but I’ve been so consumed by all the other threads I didn’t think there would be any interest.

I was actually discussing the differences today with a colleague who purchased an Abarth 595 Competizione after my constant raving about mine.

Performance wise it is a huge step forward nearly 2 seconds to 60 quicker and grip levels that just don’t seem to disappear. I have had a few slides in the Yaris but only through excessive speeds on large roundabouts in what could be considered appalling weather where I’m just trying to find where the limits of the car is.

Yaris pros:

Faster
More grip
No rattles in the cabin
Styling (in my opinion)
Carplay (my Abarth was meant to come with CarPlay as a demonstrator but got delayed so they binned it off for a year)
With seats down flat floor with more interior space

Abarth pros:
The exhaust sound (despite sounding like a tractor at idle having it bang on an upshift when pushing on was always amusing/satisfying)
Interior (whilst the interior is clearly bolted together better in the Yaris the Abarth felt special especially with the carbon backed seats. I also think they gripped better and will notice a difference on track)

Whilst mpg does not bother me I’m currently getting 27mpg compared to an average (over 45,000miles) of 37mpg with the Abarth that’s going to get a bit boring when heading to Europe a few times a year but I’m hoping that will improve on a long journey.

The Abarth I’ve always said was a childish car, in 4 years I always had a laugh driving the car even on the commute, the Yaris feels more sensible and seems to blend in with the world around it, the plus side though is that I’ve encountered less idiots so far than I’d normally meet in the Abarth or our C1 that may change as more people know what the car is.
This has probably been the most talked about new car on Pistonheads over the last year so most definitely, we would want to know how it performs in the real world. It's obviously a step-up from the Abarth but it seems that the Abarth is special in it's own way. I must say that I really do like the seats the Abarth. The GR however is obviously a massive step-up in performance and hopefully, a decent after-market exhaust should bring out it's character. Surprised by the mpg though but that will probably improve as the engine loosens up?

Mike1990

962 posts

130 months

Tuesday 5th January 2021
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Bookmarked!

Followed your Abarth thread with enthusiasm, so i’am really looking forward to your ownership with this.

England87

1,240 posts

96 months

Tuesday 5th January 2021
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Congratulations, these look so much fun and are certainly becoming a rare breed of car. Enjoy it!

Bright Halo

2,950 posts

234 months

Tuesday 5th January 2021
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Well done
That is a great colour and suits it really well

My wife and I had a test drive of one at Toyota Cheltenham and we fully appreciated how special it was. However my wife (would be main driver) could not get comfortable in it as no matter how she played with the seat height/position and steering column adjustment she ended up banging her knee on the column shroud when operating the clutch. She is only five foot tall so probably had something to do with it. It also did not feel special enough inside, I understand where the budget has gone but we were expecting something a bit more exclusive. It could also be to do with our age as both in our 50’s now so maybe we have just moved on.

Great car though. I’m sure you will have many an excellent drive.
Keep us all posted especially about the Nurburgring trip!

Edited by Bright Halo on Tuesday 5th January 14:34

seawise

2,144 posts

205 months

Tuesday 5th January 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for sharing.

I was late to order. the car passed me by when it was initially last March, it was only when the first drive stories were published after the embargo lifted did it grab my attention. I didn't need another car, but it seemed such a stand out significant little performance car that i got talked into (by myself and a couple of mates) placing a deposit with Toyota online. That was on the 10th of November. Since when according to the mytoyota web page it's been built and is currently somewhere between Aichi provence in Japan and Bristol on a car carrier battling the high seas (at approx 16 knots, which via the cape of good hope is 38 days steaming).

I didn't give the colour options much thought, just went with the standard no cost option of pure white. the car will live outside exposed to the elements and get little pampering i am afraid. so it will get dirty and stay that way until the weather improves.

I did however choose the circuit pack of course. The car will probably do the odd wet track day, as there was one at the RMA Brands day in early December which seemed to go very well in challenging conditions. The level of ultimate performance it is capable of probably can only really be accessed on the track. still saying that you'll be able to use more of this cars ability than most modern sports and high performance cars on the road, without attracting too much attention. That's kind of how i sold it to myself anyway.

It's a pity that i estimate that the car won't be ready until February, as the current crappy weather would suit it perfectly. Still something to look forward to in these depressing Covid lock down times.

Keep us posted with your car in the meantime, it looks great in that red, thanks !

kingkongsfinger

243 posts

170 months

Tuesday 5th January 2021
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Absolutely stunning, favorite spec and colour.

Would love to see the wheels painted gold, that’s the only modification I would do.

Bright Halo

2,950 posts

234 months

Tuesday 5th January 2021
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I really like the red but don’t think you can wrong with any of the colours it is available in. Strange they do a metallic and none metallic white when there is only four colours available.

Psycho Warren

3,087 posts

112 months

Tuesday 5th January 2021
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Does the car meet the high expectations in terms of performance that most of the online reviews give?

crofty1984

15,830 posts

203 months

Tuesday 5th January 2021
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Poverty dictates I don't buy a new car and presumably some sort of deep seated self-loathing dictates that any car I but will be a "project" whether I want it to be out not.
However, if I were to buy a new car that works, that would be well in with a shout.

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,016 posts

164 months

Tuesday 5th January 2021
quotequote all
Mike1990 said:
Bookmarked!

Followed your Abarth thread with enthusiasm, so i’am really looking forward to your ownership with this.
Cheers!

kingkongsfinger said:
Absolutely stunning, favorite spec and colour.

Would love to see the wheels painted gold, that’s the only modification I would do.
If I get a set of winter wheels gold is my thinking.

Bright Halo said:
I really like the red but don’t think you can wrong with any of the colours it is available in. Strange they do a metallic and none metallic white when there is only four colours available.
Not sure why they the offer 2 whites but the colours on offer are those of Gazoo Racing. I’m not a fan of red cars despite this being my 2nd. If they offered it in blue that would have been my choice.

Psycho Warren said:
Does the car meet the high expectations in terms of performance that most of the online reviews give?
Im no driving pro/god however I feel the press have given a fair review of the cars performance (although I’m yet to see a review that is 100% factually correct) I’ve found a lot of negatives that I’ve read from those who’ve test driven/reviewed is because they’re comparing to cars way beyond £34,000 I guess due to its performance being on par with cars of a much higher price point. Things like poor lights and interior, yes compared to a top of the line Porsche but compared to other cars of that price range its on par or better.

Terminator X

14,920 posts

203 months

Tuesday 5th January 2021
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What a great car. If I could afford it (can't) I would have one as a 2nd car and keep it for good as I did love the test drive that I had in one.

TX.

LongTimeLoiterer

4 posts

38 months

Wednesday 6th January 2021
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Youve made quick progress to the Yaris!

It'll be good to see your longer term thoughts on it.