• the toyota gr yaris is a rally-bred, hot-hatch variant of the global version of the yaris subcompact that we don't get in the u.s.
• it's essentially a homologated street version of the yaris rally car that competes in the fia world rally championship.
• toyota is currently taking pre-orders for this limited-production model for japanese customers.

the toyota yaris is mostly known in the u.s. as an unassuming, inexpensive, efficient commuter car, but elsewhere in the world it has a reputation as a dirt-slinging, turbocharged rally car that competes in the fia world rally championships. toyota is now bringing that rally expertise to the street with a homologation version of the global yaris hatchback that wears the company's gazoo racing (gr) designation. and this 268-horsepower, all-wheel-drive, limited-production version of the yaris is intriguing, to say the least.

power comes from a tiny 1.6-liter inline three-cylinder engine—yes, all 268 horsepower and 273 lb-ft from just three cylinders—and a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching is standard. an advanced all-wheel-drive system is available with torsen limited-slip differentials in the front and the rear and an electronically controlled center differential. the trunk, hood, and door panels are aluminum and the roof panel is made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic to save weight.

the gr yaris is available only in two-door hatchback form, and it looks appropriately mean, with a huge front grille opening, flared fenders, and 18-inch wheels that hide red brake calipers. a rz first edition model starts at the equivalent of around $36,000 in japan, while a special rz high-performance edition adds the torsen differentials, an intercooler with a cooling-spray function, and bbs wheels for around $42,000. toyota isn't saying how many examples of the gr yaris it will build, but we assume it'll be rare.