A brace of Toyota New Zealand's full-blooded GR performance cars are getting big updates for 2025 - and there's a special-edition version of a third to further spice things up.
The new GR Yaris, GR Corolla and limited-run GR86 Hakone Edition be launched in January.
The GR Yaris is a multiple award winner, including the AA DRIVEN overall Car of the Year for 2021. For 2025, performance from the three-cylinder engine has been uprated with another 21kW/30Nm: the totals of 221kW/400Nm match the previous GR Corolla.
In addition to the 6-speed manual transmission, a new 8-speed direct shift automatic transmission variant has also been added to the GR Yaris line-up. The auto version has launch control and is fitted with water- and air-cooling for the transmission fluid.
For both variants, a new three-piece front bumper with larger cooling apertures has been added, along with a new engine sub-radiator, cold air intake, and intercooler spray. The front end is stiffened to improve stability through corners.
Inside, the GR Yaris has a newly designed instrument panel and an audio display that is angled towards and around the driver. The driving position has been lowered by 25mm and a 12.3-inch full colour meter has been added.
The GR Corolla, which utilises the same powertrain as the GR Yaris, has also been upgraded with the addition of the 8-speed direct shift automatic transmission. The three-cylinder engine is the same as the 2025 GR Yaris, with 221kW/400Nm (up 30Nm over the previous GR Corolla).
Both Yaris and Corolla have been subject to a multitude of detail changes designed to increase their appeal as enthusiast cars.
The GR86 Hakone Edition derives its name from a well-known winding forest road with multiple switchbacks in Japan. Sachs suspension and upgraded Brembo brakes sharpen up the handling, but the most obvious changes are cosmetic: it's finished in Ridge Green, with bronze painted alloy wheels.
Inside, the front seats are treated with Ultrasuede and leather accents and have tan accents, tan contrast stitching and black perforations. The tan contrast stitching is also carried through to the steering wheel, shift lever boot, door arm rests and parking brake lever. A unique gearshift knob features a bronze accent and Hakone Edition etching.
The GR86 Hakone Edition will be available in NZ in "exceptionally limited" numbers says Toyota NZ, including a few with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
No prices have been announced for the trio by Toyota NZ; we'll get back to you in January on that.