GR Yaris Rally2 mechanics
Given that, by regulation, all FIA Rally2 cars must have a 1.6 turbo engine, there are not too many surprises under the hood when they all submit (Hyundai, Citroën, M-Sport and Skoda, in addition to Volkswagen and Peugeot that had Rally2/R5 years behind and Proton with its little-seen Iris Rally2) to the same regulations. The 1.6 is the same three-cylinder that the GR Yaris has, boosted to about 285 horsepower, optimizing power delivery for low and medium revolutions in order to maximize the engine’s response when exiting corners, not mattering so much (except in rallies like Finland or Estonia) the top speed. Of course, it is three-cylinder, being the car that led to this change in the regulations given that previously Rally2 engines had to have four cylinders.
Also by regulation, it is coupled to a five-speed gearbox, sending power to both axles – the Rally2s have mechanical differentials, without a center differential. The length is the same as that of the GR despite its prominent rear wing, part of an aerodynamic assembly evolved over a year and thousands of kilometers of development. Other common aspects with the rest of Rally2 is that it has 300-millimeter brake discs in dirt configuration and 355-millimeter brake discs for asphalt rallies.
Ultimately, it is about adapting the GR Yaris to the Rally2 regulations, exploring every nook and cranny to make a car that is as effective as possible – not only fast, but also adaptable to different driving styles and driving levels. It must also remain within a cost determined by the FIA. This is, in part, what has made it so well received by both teams and private drivers and interesting for manufacturers. In a sense, the same can be said of the manufacturers and teams involved in the GT3 category of circuits, just as has happened in passenger cars with the TCR (at least until costs began to escalate in recent years, something applicable to the three categories actually).
It is a car that has been a long time coming since already in 2018/2019, when the GR Yaris was in the brand’s plans, there was talk of making a Yaris Rally2 (or R5, as the category was known at that time). However, Toyota wanted to put all the pieces together, wait for the regulations to allow three-cylinder Rally2 cars and also develop its own team, which has happened after six seasons only focused on the top category (previously World Rally Cars, now Rally1). .
The fact that it is built on the basis of a ‘homologation special’ instead of ordinary cars like its rivals makes it a great rival to take into account. For this reason, it is destined to be the car that changes the established order in a category in which Skoda Motorsport, with its three models (the Fabia R5 and Evo version of 2015 and 2019, followed by the current Fabia RS Rally2), has been the great reference. For now, the comments from different drivers who have been able to test the car suggest that the car is going to be a real missile, both in asphalt rallies and on dirt or snow.
