Motoring

Takumi Meets Tarma

by: BTM - Fri, 06 Feb 2026

From the unforgiving gravel of rally stages to the precision floors of Toyota’s GR Factory in Japan, the GR Yaris arrives in Bahrain as a rare breed of performance car, shaped by competition and refined through craftsmanship.

Developed through Toyota’s world-class motorsport programmes, including the FIA World Rally Championship, Super Taikyu Series and Japanese Rally Championship, the GR Yaris represents a direct transfer of racing expertise to the road. Unveiled locally by Ebrahim K. Kanoo, the official distributor of Toyota in Bahrain, the model stands as Toyota’s most authentic expression of motorsport engineering in a compact performance format.

First introduced in Japan in 2020 as Toyota’s inaugural motorsport-first production vehicle, the GR Yaris was engineered with hands-on involvement from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and shaped by extensive driver feedback across global racing environments. The result is a car that delivers immediate response, unwavering confidence and remarkable control, whether carving through corners or navigating everyday roads.

At its heart is a high-output 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. Power is channelled through either a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed intelligent manual, allowing drivers to tailor their experience. Toyota’s GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system actively manages torque distribution between the front and rear axles, enhancing traction and cornering stability across varying conditions.

Performance is further elevated by the Aero Performance Package, designed to optimise cooling efficiency, aerodynamic balance and high-speed stability. Inside, the driver-focused cockpit and sporty interior themes reflect the GR Yaris’s racing DNA, while Toyota Safety Sense driver-assistance technologies provide reassurance for daily driving, creating a seamless balance between excitement and practicality.

Beyond its numbers and engineering, the GR Yaris embodies Japan’s philosophy of kaizen, where motorsport innovation meets meticulous takumi craftsmanship. Every detail reflects a commitment to precision, purpose and performance, resulting in a distinctly Japanese driving experience that resonates with enthusiasts seeking authenticity behind the wheel.

Now available in Bahrain, the GR Yaris invites drivers to experience a machine born on rally stages and refined for real roads.

For more information or to book a test drive contact
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