Bojan Vrbnjak
It is now official: 2024 Toyota GR Yaris will get an optional automatic transmission. As one of the last cars on the market with a manual transmission (along with the GR Corolla, Honda Civic Type R, Civic Si and a few others), it was GR Racing part of an exclusive club. Now with the new one eight-speed with a torque-converting automatic transmission, it joins the masses.
Toyota is on Tokyo Motor Show revealed updated Yaris GR and a new shifter she named direct automatic transmission. It is based on an automatic transmission with a torque converter that is optimized for faster shifting and has specially adapted shifting logic for racetrack use. It's not a dual-clutch transmission like other performance cars have, but if it's an automatic transmission ZF 8HP proof, conventional automatic transmissions can be very good too. Attentive racing fans will remember that it is Toyota tested this transmission in the durability series Great Taikyu and in the Japanese Rally Championship.
In addition to the new gearbox, it is GR Racing received many improvements in all areas. Specification "Circuit” will be available with an improved cooling pack, especially with the additional radiator, intercooler spray and redesigned intake system. Automatically equipped the cars will also get a special gearbox cooler. Both coolers are visible in the side vacuums. Surprisingly, yes automatic transmission it only adds approx 40 kilograms. Overall body stiffness and suspension improvements support the increased power of the three-cylinder engine s turbine charger. It's not just a new setting, it's also a “reinforced” valvetrain, new undisclosed exhaust valve material, increased direct injection pressure, new intake air pressure sensor and redesigned lightweight pistons.
It's last GR Racing renovated both externally and internally. More aggressive the sculpted front bumper accommodates additional coolers while the inside completely redesigned to be more driver-centric. Honestly, dashboard is somewhat unusual and out of date, especially compared to the previous one. At least the new dashboard has 12,3-inch screen from the model GR Corolla. Ok, this car won't be coming to the US. However, the key is that these parts, including the automatic transmission, can be used in the model for the upcoming model year GR Corolla. While he was a model GR Corolla 2024 already announced with its changes, there is evidence to suggest that the GR Corolla 2025 model will be a big step forward.
