Toyota keeps pushing the GR Yaris to its technical limits as they unveil at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon the new GR Yaris Morizo RR. The mere fact it shares its name with the Lexus LBX Morizo RR is already a statement on how hardcore and focused this hot hatch is.
As a recap, Morizo is the racing pseudonym of Akio Toyoda, and the only way a vehicle can earn the Morizo RR stamp is if it reaches a high enough technical and emotional peak. So, even if the 1.6-liter G16E-GTS turbo three-cylinder still delivers 300 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, along with the same eight-speed automatic, there are significant upgrades that have gone into the rest of the vehicle.
To start, let’s take a look at the exterior, where the GR Yaris Morizo RR is fitted with a new front splitter and side skirts, a carbon fiber hood, matte bronze wheels, and yellow brake calipers. A new shade called Gravel Khaki is, at least for now, the standout paint option for the Morizo RR.
The new, large carbon fiber rear wing not only transforms the GR Yaris into a road-legal rally car but also enhances its performance. It also adds so much downforce, GR had to rework the suspension to handle the increased load–particularly when driven on punishing race tracks with plenty of dips like the Nurburgring.
GR also tweaked the GR-Four all-wheel drive (AWD) system. Whereas the standard GR Yaris would have a Gravel mode–it was bred from rallying, after all–the Morizo RR switches this for a new Morizo mode. This mode delivers a 50:50 torque split front-to-rear versus the 53:47 split of Gravel mode. Matching the improved AWD system is a tweaked electric power steering that offers better response and an even more communicative feel.
Lastly, more changes can be found inside the GR Yaris Morizo RR, as this model gets a unique steering wheel with a racing-inspired design. The rim is wrapped in Alcantara, while the additional switches are for the audio and cruise control features. The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster also comes with a unique display mode specific to the Morizo RR.
Though this was revealed at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon as a pre-production prototype, this is pretty much the vehicle that customers will get. And by that, we only mean a few customers. Only 100 units will be sold in Japan, along with another 100 units for the select European markets it will be offered. For Japanese buyers, the GR Yaris Morizo RR’s allocation will be through a lottery system, making this vehicle extremely rare and exclusive.
0 comments on “Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR Is The Famed Hot Hatch At Its Most Extreme”