2026 Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR debuts – 200 units; 8AT GR-DAT; upgrades derived from Nürburgring racer

At this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota announced a special edition of the GR Yaris that it plans to sell first in Japan through a lottery system that will be open to the public in spring 2026.

Officially called the GR Yaris Morizo RR, the new offering is currently being displayed as an under-development prototype at the show and will be limited to just 100 units. The company adds that the model will also be released in certain European markets, also limited to 100 units.

With the Morizo RR, Toyota applied the lessons it learned from competing in last year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race to the GR Yaris. At that event, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda, who also goes by the racing pseudonym ‘Morizo’, raced the #109 GR Yaris fielded by Toyota Gazoo Rookie Racing (TGRR) and equipped with the eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT).

Logging more laps than scheduled despite the course’s grueling conditions and successfully completing the race, Morizo came away impressed by the DAT-equipped GR Yaris that enabled him to conquer 15 laps of the famed track. That appeared to serve as the green light for development of the GR Yaris Morizo RR.

So, what modifications did Toyota make to a standard GR Yaris? Well, the large carbon-fibre rear wing is an immediate standout and was developed based on the race car along with the new bonnet made of the same material. These are joined by a new front spoiler and side skirts.

In addition to the aero enhancements, the GR Yaris also gets its suspension and power steering retuned based on learnings on The Green Hell. There’s also an exclusive ‘Morizo’ drive mode that sets front/rear initial torque distribution at 50:50 – this replaces the existing ‘Gravel’ mode. No mention of power upgrades, so the G16E-GTS 1.6 litre turbocharged inline-three petrol engine is presumed to continue making 304 PS (300 hp or 224 kW) and 400 Nm of torque.

Further driving-related changes are found on the inside, starting with a revised digital instrument cluster that shows the new drive mode. The steering wheel is also new and has a smaller outer diameter along with modified paddle shifters. The wheel-mounted switches have also been changed for improved operability in motorsports, with inspiration coming from the switches used in the GR Yaris Rally2 rally car.

As for aesthetics, all GR Yaris Morizo RR cars are finished in an exclusive Gravel Khaki, which is a favourite of Morizo. You’ll also find a piano black grille, matte bronze wheels, yellow brake callipers and Morizo’s signature is also found on the windshield. The interior gets yellow stitching and a serialised plate to remind passengers they are sitting in one of 200 examples globally.

Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR at 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon