The Yaris R1A is offered as a kit that can be fitted to either a new or light-used current-generation Yaris. The kit consists of everything needed to turn the econobox into a track car including a roll cage, skid plates for the oil pan and the fuel tank, a power cutoff switch at the base of the windshield and racing seats.
Cars competing in the R1A class need to be powered by the stock engine so the Yaris' 1.3-liter four-cylinder stays at 100 horsepower and 88 lb-ft. of torque, propelling the hatchback from zero to 62 mph in 11.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 108 miles per hour.
Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. The R1A features a shorter final drive than a regular-production Yaris.
Toyota has made the suspension stiffer and adjustable in height in order to obtain a more responsive ride.
Not tame enough for the upcoming Paris Motor Show, the Yaris R1A will make its public debut at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland that will take place from the 24th to the 26th of August.
Toyota says that a donor car plus the R1A kit will set a pilot back approximately €22,500, or roughly $27,750. Tax and installation are both extra. At the time of writing Toyota does not plan on selling the car in the United States.
The Yaris R1A is just the first step in Toyota's ambitious quest to return to its former glory in the world of rally racing. The next step is the launch of TMG-modified version of the GT86, better known as the Scion FR-S in the United States, that is slated to be revealed in the very near future and that is previewed by a computer-generated image.
"I hope this is the start of a new rally dynasty at TMG," said Yoshiaki Kinoshita, the division's president, in a statement.
Yaris R1A
