A Yearlong Chronicle: A Documentary Capturing the Genesis of GR Yaris Rally2 - "Roads Shape Both People and Vehicles"
In the heart of Finland, at Toyota's Rally headquarters in Jyvaskylä, the development team is relentlessly working towards continuous improvement, with a focus on the upcoming Rally Japan 2024. This dedication is evident in the GR Yaris Rally2, a car designed to revolutionise the world of rallying for private drivers.
The GR Yaris Rally2 is a car that does not mock the driver for having limited skills, as stated by Toyota's CEO Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo. It is a turn-key rally car, built around the production-based GR Yaris but extensively tuned and homologated under Rally2 regulations to ensure reliability, competitiveness, and accessibility for private teams and drivers.
The development journey of the GR Yaris Rally2 is a testament to rigorous testing and refinement. The car has been adapted to meet Rally2 homologation requirements, which differ from the top category Rally1 cars by being more production-based, cost-controlled, and fully homologated for private entry. This approach has resulted in performance and durability benefits, making the GR Yaris Rally2 a formidable rally car for privateers.
One of the key figures in the development of the GR Yaris Rally2 is Norihiko Katsuta, who was tasked to be the development driver. Katsuta's extensive experience in rallying has proven invaluable, as he has uncovered several defects in the car during rallies. These include a crash, an exhaust leak, unavoidable dropouts, and deteriorated parts. These defects were significant as they might not have been found without Katsuta pushing the car to its limits.
Morizo, the current leader of Toyota Gazoo Racing, acquired the first GR Yaris Rally2 not as a chairman but as an individual. This move reflects his commitment to the development process and his passion for rallying. In acquiring the first car, he also inherited the principle "Roads build people and cars" from his driving master, Hiromu Naruse. This principle is evident in the front lines of the GR Yaris Rally2's development, as engineers and mechanics compete to find problems and repair them quickly.
The GR Yaris Rally2 was first unveiled to the global public at Rally Japan 2022. Since then, it has been refined through real-world testing on Finnish rally stages. The latest public showcase of this development was the debut of the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept at the 2025 Rally Finland, driven in a demo run by four-time world champion and Toyota WRC deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen. This event highlighted Toyota's work in refining the Rally2 car platform and exploring alternative powertrains.
The GR Yaris Rally2 is a key part of Toyota's goal of "making ever-better cars through motorsports." It is designed to expand the scope of rallying for private drivers who participate individually. The Toyota Times News features exclusive footage showcasing the passion of drivers, engineers, and mechanics for the GR Yaris Rally2, offering a unique insight into the development process.
In summary, the GR Yaris Rally2 is a testament to Toyota's commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. It is a car that reflects the principle "Roads build people and cars," as it is developed through rigorous testing and refinement, driven by a passion for rallying. The GR Yaris Rally2 was officially approved by the FIA for sale as a rally car in January 2024, marking a significant step for Toyota and private rally drivers alike.
The GR Yaris Rally2, approved by the FIA for sale as a rally car in January 2024, is a formidable rally car for privateers due to its extensively tuned and homologated features, making it accessible for private teams and drivers in the automotive industry. Following the principles of "Roads build people and cars," the car's development also encompasses finance, as it is built around the production-based GR Yaris with a focus on cost-control under Rally2 regulations. This opens up a new opportunity in the transportation industry, allowing private drivers to compete with a turn-key rally car that does not mock their skills, as stated by Toyota's CEO Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo.
