Toyota GR Yaris To Get Automatic Transmission In 2024, Could The GR Corolla Be Next?

Sep. 26, 2023 9:43 AM ET byAnthony Capretto Rumor /1 Comment

Reports out of Japan suggest the long-awaited automatic transmission is just a few months away.

Rumors of the Toyota GR Yaris getting theoption of an automatic transmissionhave circulated for over a year, but if Japanese publicationBest Caris to be believed, it could arrive in the next three months. The magazine claims that Toyota is set to announce a facelift for the GR Yaris with production earmarked for January 2024.

The update will realize an increase in power to almost 300 hp to put it on more equal footing with our larger and more powerfulGR Corolla. Visual upgrades will include a new front end and a bigger rear spoiler, while a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster will replace analog dials.

We've had nothing but praise for the GR Corolla that hit our shores last year. Packing a 1.6-liter turbo three-cylinder engine that makes 300 hp and sends it all to an advanced AWD system, it's a rare rally car for the streets featuring a manual transmission as its only option. As cool as this is and as much as we back up the decision, offering only a manual shrinks your potential customer base, so the addition of an automatic could make good business sense.

As of now, this is purely speculation. The company already knows other transmissions work well in the car, as the GRYaris Rally1 Hybrid WRCcar utilizes a sequential mechanical transmission. While that's not something you're going to find in a road-going car, a sequential setup shows an automatic could definitely work.

The rumors point to an eight-speed auto with paddle shifters as being the most likely candidate. It won't be a quick-shifting DCT, but will still be focused on performance as opposed to comfort. Since it won't be available in the GR Yaris until late next year, there's no telling when the GR Corolla could get it if it ever does.

And Toyota very well could pass on offering one given how well the model has sold here without the option. The company has seen its manual offerings explode in popularity, withnearly half of 2023 Supra ordersbeing optioned with the manual, so perhaps it could create more strain on production than is worth.

The company has had toincrease production of the hot hatchalready to match demand which has been hot in just about every market. 6,600 were planned for the US market this year and that turned out to not be enough, so expect more for next year.

The company recently announced some chassis, aero, and steering upgradesfor the GR Corolla in Japan. These include new gearbox mounts, front cross-member bolts, and wider front bumper ducts among other changes. Hopefully, these additions will make their way to our models in the near future and we'll hear more about a potential automatic as well.