The Toyota GR Yaris is one of the cars of the moment, and in the future, we know that it will be considered a classic with all of the law. The GR Yaris is a very peculiar car, in the sense that its formula is unrivaled today. It’s a car similar in approach and philosophy to a Subaru WRX STI or a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, in the sense that it is a “homologation special” loaded with rally DNA. It is precisely with the latter that the Toyota GR Yaris is going to beat the copper in circuit.
On paper, the Toyota GR Yaris has a serious rival. The Lancer Evolution VII It has a 280 hp 2.0 turbo 4G63 engine, associated with a manual gearbox and a really effective all-wheel drive system. The ingredients of the Yaris are similar, with the exception of having a 1.6 turbo three-cylinder engine with 19 less hp. His battle is shorter and he is 50 kilos lighter, but in pure acceleration, it is 0.4 seconds slower than the Mitsubishi. However, there are also 20 years of technical evolution in favor of the most radical street Toyota in decades.
In philosophy, the Toyota GR Yaris is the modern equivalent of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
With the track mode on on a rather twisty wet circuit, the years of technical evolution begin to shine through. Although the absolute difference in lap time is not too striking – on a 1.6km circuit, we are talking about a time of 47.15 with respect to the 48.58 of the Mitsubishi – The difference in cornering is palpable at all times, especially in the slower areas. The Lancer Evolution is a formidable rival, but it hasn’t been able to beat Toyota’s atomic ant, which continues to magnify its legend.
