--- title: "Toyota’s Even Hotter GR Yaris Hints at the GR Corolla’s Future" date: "2025-07-01" modified: "2025-07-01" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/toyotas-even-hotter-gr-yaris-hints-at-the-gr-corollas-future" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Toyota News" tags: - "compact" - "GR Corolla" - "sports car" - "Toyota" --- # Toyota’s Even Hotter GR Yaris Hints at the GR Corolla’s Future ![GR Yaris at WRC Acropolis Rally 2025 / SS1]() *\Nikos Karanikolas/Toyota\* One thing I really appreciate about Toyota's GR hot hatches is that even though they haven't been around very long, the automaker has given them plenty of updates over that short time. The [GR Corolla](), for example, got more torque, better cooling, and an available automatic transmission just two years after its debut. In fact, many of the pre-refresh Corolla's improvements were brought back around to the GR Yaris, so that our friends on the other side of the pond wouldn't miss out. And now, [Toyota]() has unveiled a new special edition Yaris that looks pretty sweet, and could tease what's next for the Corolla. It's called the GR Yaris Aero Performance, and, just like the name hints, most of the changes here are visible from the outside. There's that big adjustable rear wing; a cooling vent on the hood; a front splitter; ducts on the trailing edges of the front fenders and the rear bumper; and an underfloor cover to optimize airflow. Toyota says that these parts were all developed from insights the company gained campaigning the Yaris in Japan's Super Taikyu racing series, as well as the Japanese Rally Championship. ![WRC Acropolis Rally 2025 / SS1]() *Nikos Karanikolas* ![WRC Acropolis Rally 2025 / SS1]() *Nikos Karanikolas* ![WRC Acropolis Rally 2025 / SS1]() *Nikos Karanikolas* That vented hood in particular came from the world of rallying, and helps the little 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder breathe during hard driving. If you compare the [current GR Yaris]() to the original, you'll note that the front bumper on the refreshed model already leaves far more room for air to pass through, and this tweak enhances that even further. But my favorite touch has to be that adjustable wing, which is now just as functional as it is mean-looking. The "GR-Four" embossed into the uprights is a nice touch. - ![]() - ![]() - ![]() - ![]() - ![]() [][][] Now, if we look at that [hardcore GR Corolla Toyota teased]() some months back, you'll note a few of the items on this Yaris appeared on that vehicle as well. There was a big wing, also shrouded by camouflage, plus a new hood with a deep center vent. Not to mention, a hatch with a silhouette suspiciously like it has been observed lapping the Nürburgring since late last year. That spicier GR Corolla has been unofficially nicknamed the "GRMN" model, a label that Toyota has historically used for some overseas high-performance models tuned for the Green Hell. Should this Corolla—which also appeared to lack a backseat—carry that badge upon its full debut this fall, it'd be the first Gazoo Racing product to do so in the U.S. and Canada. There is indeed much to look forward to in the world of all-wheel-drive Toyota sports cars. ![]() ![]() ![]() *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com*[]() ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()