Toyota Yaris GRMN – Gazoo Racing turns Toyota tot into a bit of an animal - Performance and 0-60 time
Bespoke supermini isn’t cheap (and is sold out), but it delivers raw and undiluted thrills that are missing from many in the class.
Performance and 0-60 time
humb the starter button and the 2ZR fires keenly, idling with a note that’s more vocal than the Peugeot 208 GTi’s but a fair bit quieter than an earlier prototype we drove.
It’s a joy to work the GRMN’s engine hard. It’s not just a means of getting along the straight sections of a road quickly, but rather something that’s a source of satisfaction itself just to deploy. Clearly, it lacks the low-down punch of some, but the mid-range is surprisingly effective and most of all, it loves to be extended between 5000-7000rpm..
While there is the distant characteristic whine of a supercharger at lower revs, it’s the rush of compressed air and exhaust blare that you hear towards the red line. Crispness of response is its major advantage, complemented by a slick and precise gearchange.
The car’s outright performance figures are competitive rather than startling, with the 0-62mph dash taking a claimed 6.3 seconds – although the fact the sprint geared Yaris won’t crack 60mph in second, requiring a change to third, means this is a pretty impressive effort. Top speed is electronically pegged at 143mph.
