Toyota Yaris GR Sport Arrives With A Focus On Sharpening Handling

For Europeans who missed out on the limited-edition Toyota Yaris GRMN hot hatch, the Japanese automaker has now unveiled the new Yaris GR Sport. It doesn't have the same level of performance as the full GRMN, but the vehicle still gives buyers a more exciting experience than the standard car. The five-door debuts at the Paris Motor Show on October 2 and goes on sale in Europe in late 2018.

The GR Sport trim is supposed to be a step down from the full-bore GRMN vehicles. In this case, Toyota puts much of the mechanical focus on improving the suspension. The upgraded parts include Sachs Performance shocks and a solid, more rigid anti-roll bar that replaces the standard hollow piece. The result of these tweaks is a 0.43-inch (11-millimeter) decrease in ground clearance over a stock Yaris.

Toyota matches the sporty suspension modifications with more aggressive aesthetics. The Yaris GR Sport rides on black 17-inch wheels, and sporty Bridgestone Potenza RE50 tires cover them. The body features a black roof an rear spoiler. For a matching touch, piano black trim adorns the door moldings, grille, mirror caps, fog light surrounds, and interior details of the headlights. For a pop of color, buyers can add optional red decals to the front lip and top section of the rear bumper.

On the inside, the Yaris GR Sport has moderately bolstered sport seats in a combination of black and white Ultrasuede. A black headliner and satin chrome trim improve the look. The three-spoke steering wheel comes straight out of the Toyota 86.

Unlike the GRMN's three-door layout and 1.8-liter supercharged four-cylinder, the GR Sport is exclusively available in a five-door body and a 1.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder engine.