Toyota Turns Up the Heat on the GR Yaris with a Race-Refined Aero Package

Toyota has introduced a new Aero Performance Package for the GR Yaris, designed in collaboration with professional racing drivers.

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Toyota GR YARIS Aero Performance Package
Toyota Refines the GR Yaris with a Race-Derived Aero Package — But Will the U.S. Ever Get to Drive It? - © X

First launched in Japan and previously previewed in Europe, the upgrade draws directly from Toyota’s motorsport experience and is set to enhance the car’s aerodynamic performance.

The package includes six new components, all engineered for airflow, heat management, and driving stability—not just visual appeal. While the GR Yaris remains unavailable in the United States, this release hints at Toyota’s growing interest in performance upgrades with global implications.

The GR Yaris has already made a name for itself as one of Toyota’s most capable hot hatches, combining compact design with serious power. Its development has been heavily influenced by Toyota’s rally background, notably through the Gazoo Racing division. With this new aero kit, Toyota takes a step further in refining the car’s on-road and on-track behavior without changing the underlying powertrain.

Though this package is initially limited to the Japanese market, its technical upgrades represent Toyota’s broader push to channel motorsport know-how into its road cars. The enhancements stem from the brand’s participation in the Super Taikyu Series and Japanese Rally Championship, two arenas where real-world racing conditions drive innovation.

Motorsport Collaboration Shapes the Design

The Aero Performance Package is a product of close collaboration between Toyota engineers and racing professionals. According to Gear Patrol, each component in the kit has been developed to serve a functional aerodynamic purpose, not merely to amplify the car’s visual impact.

The package includes six main elements: a ducted aluminum hood taken from the GRMN Yaris, a front lip spoiler inspired by the Super Taikyu Series, fender ducts, rear bumper ducts, a variable rear wing, and an underfloor fuel tank cover. These additions contribute to airflow optimization, cooling, and overall balance while driving at speed.

Of particular note is the adjustable rear wing, which allows the driver to modify the car’s aerodynamic profile depending on the road or track conditions. Toyota highlights that even the underfloor fuel tank cover plays a role by reducing lift at the car’s rear, enhancing stability during high-speed maneuvers.

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Rally-Bred Performance Left Untouched under the Hood

While the Aero Performance Package brings significant improvements to the car’s external design and dynamics, the engine remains unchanged. As reported by the same source, the GR Yaris continues to run on its turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.

The power is delivered through Toyota’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, with buyers able to choose between a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. These specifications allow the GR Yaris to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just over five seconds and reach a top speed of 143 mph.

Despite the focus on aerodynamics in the latest package, these performance figures reaffirm the GR Yaris’s status as a serious contender among compact sports cars. The new components serve as enhancements to an already well-balanced machine, without altering its mechanical core.

Global Rollout Still Limited, but Implications Remain

As of mid-September 2025, the Aero Performance Package is only available in Japan for the RC and RZ trims of the GR Yaris. Toyota has confirmed that the kit will be offered starting October 1 at a price of ¥495,000—roughly $3,400 USD.

Earlier in the year, the package was also introduced in Europe, signaling a potential strategy for selective regional rollouts. However, the GR Yaris itself is not available in the United States. This limitation has sparked speculation about whether some of these aerodynamic components might eventually be adapted for models like the GR Corolla.

Toyota’s recent moves suggest a strong interest in elevating the visual and functional identity of its Gazoo Racing vehicles. With the company also experimenting with new trims—such as the FX variant that draws on the Corolla’s 1980s heritage—it seems the Aero Performance Package could be part of a broader design and performance evolution.

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