Another award for Yaris

The Toyota GR Yaris continues to impress the critics with evo magazine adding yet another “hot hatch of the year” title to the car’s growing list of accolades.

Launched to the UK press only five weeks ago, the rally-bred GR Yaris has swept all before it, prompting a united chorus of media praise for its all-round performance.

evo reports: “(We have) been pleading with manufacturers to build a performance car like the GR Yaris for years. While some have claimed to have done so, only Toyota has delivered on its promise.

“It’s a driver’s car that engages you in every process, delivering a 3D experience in everything it does, backed up with a reassurance and consistency from every key control point.

“evo’s judges were won over by the GR Yaris’s infectious character, its playful nature and how every journey left them wearing a schoolboy grin. Throw in fresh from a WRC stage looks, a footprint that’s perfectly suited to British roads and a level of performance and a dynamic ability you’d expect from a car costing twice as much and it’s little wonder that the GR Yaris is evo’s hot hatch of the year.”

GR Yaris uses the world’s most powerful three-cylinder engine, turbocharged to produce 257bhp – power enough to move the car from rest to 62mph in 5.5 seconds. It’s built on a dedicated chassis and uses Toyota’s new purpose-designed GR-Four all-wheel drive system, adjustable for different front/rear drive balance to suit the conditions, from road to track to special stage.  The Circuit Pack version includes GR-tuned suspension, front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials, lightweight forged BBS alloys and Michelin Pilot 4S performance tyres.

The on-the-road GR Yaris prices start from just less than £30,000. During the model’s launch period there are competitive purchase offers for customers who want to be among the first to own the most talked-about new performance hatch of the year.