Two super-exclusive new GR Yaris special editions have been revealed at the opening event of the 2024 World Rally Championship. Built with personal input from the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team drivers that bear their names, the Ogier Edition commemorates Sébastien Ogier’s WRC titles in 2020 and 2021, while the Rovanperä Edition was developed to recognise Kalle Rovanperä’s WRC titles in 2022 and 2023.
These special editions were developed as a result of Toyota chairman and master driver Akio Toyoda’s respect and gratitude to the drivers and teams who improve our cars through the punishing crucible of rallying. This honour continues a theme introduced by the Carlos Sainz edition of the Celica GT-Four in September 1991.
Both cars are powered by the latest development of the 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine and matched to the six-speed manual transmission. But in additional to exclusive external and internal features (see box below), each car exchanges the standard ‘Gravel’ and ‘Track’ modes on the GR-Four mode selector for settings programmed to reflect the respective driver’s personal preferences for handling and performance.
GR Yaris Ogier Edition
The new GR Yaris Ogier Edition has two new all-wheel drive control modes. ‘Morizo’ mode was developed by master driver Akio Toyoda (aka Morizo) and calibrated to help deliver consistent race times under acceleration, partial acceleration and braking. ‘Seb’ mode was developed by Ogier and tunes the front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials and all-wheel drive to distribute torque to the rear axle so that the back of the car can be swung out with relative ease. This gives the driver a sense of being fully connected with the car and will help achieve quicker times with enhanced body control.
The Ogier Edition’s bodywork has a dedicated Stealth Grey matt paint finish and is decorated with the French national flag (Ogier’s home nation) on the radiator grille and BBS alloy wheels. Commemorative WRC victory decals are also added to the front wings, while Toyota Gazoo Racing decals have been added to the doors and an Ogier Edition badge on the rear hatch. Additional stand-out details include a new-design CFRP rear spoiler and blue-painted brake calipers.
Inside, there is a WRC victory commemorative plaque on the instrument panel and contrasting stitching in the French national colours (red, grey and blue) on the steering wheel. Grey stitching is also used for the gearshift and handbrake gaiters and seat upholstery. Finally, the digital instrumentation has been revised to include the new drive modes.
Rovanperä Edition
The Rovanperä Edition also has two unique driving modes which were created specifically to mimic the enthusiastic style of the WRC’s youngest champion. The first mode delivers a strong torque bias to the rear wheels in order to promote a particular technique that allows the car to rotate within a short radius. The second mode, ‘Kalle’, adopts similar oversteer-focused calibrations through the front and rear limited-slip differentials to promote what’s known as the ‘Scandinavian flick’, where the back end of the car is induced to swing outwards prior to entering a bend so the front end of the car is lined up to pull it forward cleanly on the exit. Both modes are made possible by the special inclusion of a constant-velocity rear differential unit.
This version has an exclusive three-tone paint finish, applied as a series of painted motifs by the designer of Rovanperä’s race helmet. WRC victory decals are added to the front wings and there are Toyota Gazoo Racing decals on the doors and rear bumper as well as a Rovanperä Edition badge on the rear hatch. The GR Yaris is completed with 18-inch BBS alloys and an adjustable CFRP rear spoiler.
In the cabin the trim and upholstery stitching again match the driver’s national colours, in this case blue and grey for Finland, while a special plaque commemorates the team’s WRC victory.
Summary of features in GR Yaris special editions
| Ogier Edition | Rovanperä Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior | * Stealth Grey matt paintwork * WRC victory decals on front wings * French flag decoration on front grille * Blue-painted brake calipers * 8×18-inch BBS alloy wheels with French flag and TGR logo * TGR decals on doors * Ogier Edition badge on rear hatch * New-design CFRP rear spoiler | * Exclusive three-tone paintwork * WRC victory decals on front wings * 8×18-inch BBS alloy wheels with TGR logo * Red-painted brake calipers * TGR decals on doors and rear bumper * Rovanperä Edition badge on rear hatch * Adjustable new-design CFRP rear spoiler |
| Interior | * WRC victory commemorative plaque on instrument panel * Exclusive fully digital GR instrument display with new ‘Morizo’ and ‘Seb’ drive modes * Steering wheel stitching in French national colours: red, grey and blue, grey * Grey stitching across seats, gearshift and handbrake gaiters | * WRC victory commemorative plaque on instrument panel * Exclusive fully digital GR instrument display with new ‘Kalle’ and ‘Donut’ drive modes * Steering wheel stitching in Finnish national colours: blue and grey * Blue and grey stitching across seats, gearshift and handbrake gaiters |
| Mechanical | * Exclusive Ogier Edition GR-Four mode select: ‘Normal’, ‘Morizo’ and ‘Seb’ | * Exclusive Rovanperä Edition GR-Four mode select: ‘Normal’, ‘Donut’ and ‘Kalle’ * Constant-velocity rear differential |
GR Yaris special editions: How can I get one?
The Ogier Edition and Rovanperä Edition will be built in strictly limited numbers. Details of ordering and sales in European markets will be announced at a later date by national distributors. So watch this space!
Learn more: What’s new about the revised GR Yaris?
Both look cool, well done Toyota for building cars people want. Hope they are same price as the gen 1 gr Yaris
I would like to buy one of the LE cars.
I was an early buyer of the Mk 1, and still own and enjoy it.
In the 80’s I was part of the TTE (Toyota Team Europe) Middle East Rally Team and have always followed Toyota.
Hi John,
Thank you for your interest in the all-new GR Yaris! More information will be available in March.
Please sign up for the newsletter here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/gr-yaris#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms2.toyota.co.uk%2Fnewsletter.
Thanks.
Please inform me when the special edition Yaris GR’s will be for sale. Many thanks.
Hi Richard,
Thank you for your interest in the all-new GR Yaris.
More information will be available in March.
Please sign up for the newsletter here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/gr-yaris#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms2.toyota.co.uk%2Fnewsletter.
Thanks.
Excited by the news of the new Special Edition Toyota GR Yaris ‘s to be released shortly.
As an ex rally driver/navigator and already an owner of the original Toyota GR Yaris I am very keen to be included amongst future owners of the new models. Choice of which one may prove difficult as although looking similar development of the drive train presents different outcomes.
Please inform me on the release details, and on how to place an order for a Seb Ogier Special Edition Toyota GR Yaris, I have been waiting since the first pictures where released in early 2023 I have been involved in rallying for many years now, the final spec looks superb on both models, An early retirement present to my self, Looking forward to been an owner of a Seb Ogier Yaris in the future,
Regards Peter
Hi Peter, thanks for your interest in the upcoming GR Yaris.
We have no further information to offer on the model at this time, but more detail is expected reveal around March time.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
Have granted looking osier version
Looking forward to the 2024 model being available. I wasn’t in a position to get the mark 1 version, but I am now luckily. Just looking forward to / dreading the allocation process :o)
Registered for the newsletter, so fingers crossed there is enough to go around.
These both look stunning hope that I can be one of the lucky ones with either of these cars
The allocation process should be fair and to loyal customers. I want the LE, I would use it everyday as I have my mk1. Bought new always serviced on time, 45,000 miles never missed a beat… absolute machine for our roads and climate. Can’t Wait for the new one, looking forward to the email.
I used to have a very heavily modified Subaru STI. Toyota has taken over that mantle.
I desperately want this new GR Yaris!
Hi Nicholas,
Thanks for your kind words!
Sign up for the GR Yaris newsletter here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/gr-yaris#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms2.toyota.co.uk%2Fnewsletter.
Thank you.