GR Yaris gets host of upgrades for 2023

Sébastien Ogier drove the car in public for the first time, completing his day of running in cold but dry conditions ahead of next week’s Rallye Monte-Carlo (19 - 22 January). 

The eight-time world champion drove a car which comes complete with engine tweaks to improve the delivery of both power and torque. The biggest change, however, was far more visible with the loss of the air intakes on the side of the car.

With the battery for the car’s hybrid system running at temperatures lower than expected through last season, the team felt a more aerodynamic approach without the intakes would benefit the Yaris in 2023. 

Toyota has also tweaked the rear wing, a move which follows and ties in with aero updates which arrived at the tail end of last year.

Technical director Tom Fowler said: “We’re confident in the car we’ve got coming into this season. We’ve found some gains in performance and in reliability and continued the job of evolving this car which we began last year.

“I believe we have a car which will be capable of competing with any of our rivals.”

While Toyota dominated the first half of last season, it ended the year watching Hyundai score a one-two finish in its own backyard at FORUM8 Rally Japan. 

Images © Julien Pixelrallye