Big news for car enthusiasts! The 2024 Toyota GR Yaris is breaking tradition and offering an optional automatic transmission. Yep, you heard it right – no more manual-only exclusivity. Toyota spilled the beans at the Tokyo Auto Salon, introducing the Direct Automatic Transmission, an eight-speed auto-tuned for lightning-fast shifts and track-ready action.
Alongside the new gearbox, the GR Yaris is flexing with more power – 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, up from 268 hp and 273 lb-ft. The “Circuit” spec amps up the cooling game with an extra radiator, intercooler spray, and a redesigned intake system. Oh, and automatic models get a special gearbox cooler, too. Surprisingly, the auto option only adds about 40 pounds to the ride.
Under the hood, the turbocharged three-cylinder engine is getting a boost, thanks to a strengthened valvetrain, mysterious exhaust valve material, increased direct injection pressure, a new intake air pressure sensor, and redesigned lightweight pistons.
But that’s not all – the GR Yaris is getting a makeover, inside and out. The front bumper gets a tougher look, accommodating those extra coolers. Inside, it’s a driver’s paradise with a redesigned, driver-centric interior. Sure, the dash might be a bit odd, but the new 12.3-inch gauge cluster is a win, borrowed from the GR Corolla.
Now, here’s the twist – the GR Yaris might not hit U.S. shores, but the buzz is, that these upgrades could make their way to the GR Corolla in the future, automatic transmission included. While the 2024 GR Corolla is set, the 2025 model might just bring some of these exciting changes. Stay tuned for more horsepower action.
