Reuniting with the GRMN Yaris: Expectations for Full Throttle Driving

We had the opportunity to test drive Toyota's GRMN Yaris again.

The last time I test drove the car, it was a new car that was being broken in, so the engine speed was limited to 3000-4000 rpm. Even so, the car was very powerful, and I remember being surprised by the rigidity of the car and its handling.

Test Drive of the Toyota GRMN Yaris, Limited to 500 units｜How did it feel to be driven by a Porsche driver?

This time, the owner approached us because he had finished breaking in the car and could try it at full throttle.

Having been impressed by Toyota's ability to produce a car of this caliber last time, we had high expectations for this all-out run.

Amazing engine performance: GT3-like extension

In conclusion, this engine isDantotsu great among domestic cars.I can assure you that this is not the case.

What is noteworthy is the way the engine turns and extends at the end. Watching the movement of the tachometer needle,Accelerated speed increases in the last 1,000 rpm.The way it looks evokes exactly the same feeling as a Porsche GT3 engine.

The response is excellent, and just a light tap on the accelerator pedal is enough to bring the engine up to the desired RPMs. Unlike the engines of most Japanese sports cars, which rev up in a sleepy manner, the engine of the GRMN Yaris blows up sharply, as if it were waking up.

Both torque and power are perfect, and these characteristics are even more pronounced when the car is set to Sport mode.

Maneuverability similar to a Porsche: outstanding suspension

Not to be outdone by the excellent engine, the suspension is also superb.

It is indeed a rather hard setting, and while it is fine on smooth surfaces, it shakes on slightly bumpy surfaces. However, this is probably unavoidable for a car of this class.

What you get instead is great responsiveness and steering response. The behavior of the car when approaching a curve is characteristic, and although it feels a bit gradual at the beginning of the turn, once a certain angle is reached, the car turns sharply, as if folding paper. This characteristic is,Very similar to Porsche steering feel.I felt it was a good idea. At least it is different from Italian sports cars.

The stability and lack of misalignment during curves is also outstanding, just like a racing car.
As I wrote in a previous post, 'Rather, I used to ride964 cup carand997 GT3I began to think that the direction of the game was similar to the direction of the "M" series. expression felt the same way this time, and I could strongly feel the truly uncompromising workmanship of the development team.

It should also be noted that even though the car is four-wheel drive, it is as nimble as an FF or RWD car. At the same time, it still has the characteristics of a four-wheel-drive car, which moves forward aggressively at the exit of a corner, giving the driver a very secure feeling. It is truly wonderful.

Circuit oriented setting: issues on public roads

On the other hand, the suspension feels too stiff for driving on ordinary mountain roads.

The car was a bit bouncy, especially on bumpy surfaces, and there were times when the driver wished the tires would stick to the road surface more. This clearly indicates that the car is set up for circuit use.

In my experience, the suspension of this GRMN Yaris is even stiffer than that of a Porsche GT3 with PASM in Sport mode. This may be due to the car's light weight, but I can say that the setting is completely focused on the race track.

ifIf the goal is to be quicker on public roads, it may be better to reduce the damping force a little more.

However, in competitions such as gymkhana, this setting would be the strongest weapon. We felt that this setting is more suited for a modern general circuit than a bumpy track with a rough surface like Nürburgring.

Thorough attention to detail

It also has an auto-blipping function, which is not as flashy as Porsche's, but it is very easy to ride because the rpms are well matched.

In terms of gear ratios, I got the impression that the second and third gears in particular are set a bit lower than those of Porsche and other cars. This is well suited to Japanese road conditions and suitable for driving with the engine running.

As for the interior, it is very spartan. There are no rear seats, and the full bucket seats make getting into the car a challenge. However, these features are in line with the concept of the car and are rather enjoyable elements.

Room for improvement: lack of emotional direction

On the other hand, we felt there was room for improvement inEngine soundIt is.

While the volume itself is sufficient, it is mainly low to mid tones and could use a little more treble. Considering that imported cars can produce more sound, I think it would be possible to devise a little more within the limits of regulations. It is unfortunate that, as is typical of Japanese manufacturers, the sound level is kept at a safe level, taking too many adult considerations into account.

The engine sound comes mainly from the rear, but if the sound could be tuned to appeal to the senses by emphasizing the high frequencies a little more, the driving experience would be even more enjoyable. The sound of the turbine can also be heard from the rear of the car, but by refining the overall sound, it should be possible to produce an emotional driving experience that is comparable to that of imported cars.

General,The GRMN Yaris is already first class in terms of performance.Now all that remains is to further refine the driving feel that appeals to the senses, and it has the potential to become the perfect domestic sports car. If Toyota can make a car this good, I strongly hope that they will be able to introduce even more fun cars to the world in the future.

The GRMN Yaris is at the level of a car that stands at the pinnacle of Japanese hot hatches, or even Japanese sports cars.

Its performance is not inferior to that of imported cars, in fact, it even surpasses them in some areas. The engine performance, handling, and overall balance are truly phenomenal.
However, despite its name, the Yaris still has some challenges in terms of daily use, and this should be taken into consideration when considering its purchase. Nevertheless, if you are looking for pure driving pleasure, the GRMN Yaris is definitely one of the best choices.