While the hot hatch focus is inevitably on the latest
Fiesta ST
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!