Toyota’s New Hardcore Hot Hatch Celebrates a Driving Legend

The Japanese automaker has announced a special-edition GR Yaris built with upgrades according to the big boss’s specs.

Front view of a white Toyota car with a black carbon fiber hood and illuminated headlights.

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By Gray Van Dyke

Published January 9, 2026

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Updated January 9, 2026

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Just a few days ago, Toyota had the world wondering if the long-awaited MR2 reveal was imminent. Over on X, the company posted a clip of its in-house anime series with a cryptic exchange referencing an unnamed mid-engine two-seater ahead of the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Turns out, that was but another misdirection in a long line of hints and teasers. Thankfully, however, Toyota did have a release planned for the show.

Gray Toyota GR Yaris with carbon fiber hood, bronze wheels, and large rear spoiler in a dark studio. — The Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR owes its name to the company chairman’s racing alias.

It’s a special-edition version of the GR Yaris sold in Europe and Japan, and it’s called the Morizo RR in reference to the company’s chairman and master driver, Akio Toyoda.

A Yaris built to the boss’s specs

Toyota’s big boss is quite the passionate presence behind the wheel, going by the alter ego “Morizo” in his amateur racing efforts. This hardcore GR Yaris is effectively a car built to his tastes, as it was campaigned in the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race.

Black textured car control knob labeled "PUSH MORIZO" with "GR-FOUR" and "TRACK" markings on a matte black panel. — The Morizo mode results in perfectly balanced torque and driving output.

In practice, along with a set of shocks and electric power steering (EPS) that have been optimized for uneven surfaces like the Nürburgring, this means that it sports an exclusive 4WD control mode developed with Morizo himself. Rather than the Gravel setting as found on the regular GR Yaris, the exclusive tune sets front and rear initial torque and driving force distribution at 50:50.

But that’s not all. Around the outside, the Morizo RR brings other exclusive performance upgrades in the form of a Nürburgring-honed rear wing, a front spoiler, some side skirts and a weight-saving carbon fiber hood.

Glossy black carbon fiber rear spoiler mounted on a dark-colored sports car. — This shapely carbon fiber wing was honed through actual Nürburgring-based racing.

Moreover, while this special-edition GR Yaris doesn’t bring upgrades to the 257-horsepower 1.6-liter triple, it’s worth noting that it’s exclusively being offered with an automatic transmission.

As odd a choice as it may seem, it’s one that’s been made in the pursuit of improved driving performance. Per Toyota, in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Morizo logged “more laps than scheduled despite the course’s grueling condition” – a feat that he “credited to its 8-speed automatic transmission.”

In any case, if it works for the Toyota big boss, who are we to argue?

Two black leather and suede car seats with yellow stitching and GR logos on the headrests inside a vehicle. — Yellow stitching brings the theme to the interior of this special GR Yaris.

Exclusive touches inside and out

Beyond the saucy performance upgrades, Toyota’s GR Yaris Morizo RR also brings a number of eye-catching aesthetic touches.

For instance, the paint is a special Gravel Khaki hue, and it comes complemented by an exclusive Piano Black grille, a set of Matte Bronze wheels and some Yellow brake calipers. Tying the theme together around the outside are a Morizo RR emblem on the back hatch and a reproduction of the chairman’s John Hancock atop the front windshield.

Silver metal plaque with "MORIZO RR 24h Nürburgring 000/200" mounted on a black textured surface. — Each example will receive a special placard denoting its production number.

It’s a treatment that extends to the interior, too. Along with some yellow accents on the steering wheel, shift knob and boot, as well as parking brake lever and cover, Toyota is giving each Morizo edition a set of special seats with RR-specific upholstery.

Rounded out by a slightly smaller steering wheel, some modified paddle shifters and relocated buttons, each model is commemorated with its own serialized number plate.

Gray Toyota GR Yaris hatchback with large carbon fiber rear wing and bronze alloy wheels in a dark studio. — Toyota does have plans to introduce the GR Yaris Morizo RR for select European markets.

You’ll need luck to land one of these

Per the Gazoo Racing page, the GR Yaris Morizo RR will be available in Japan from Spring 2026. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Production will be limited to a total of just 100 units, and purchasing opportunities will be made available through lottery applications as part of the TGR app. According to Toyota, the GR Yaris Morizo RR is also slated for release in “certain European markets” in another run of 100.

Dark gray Toyota GR Yaris with illuminated headlights and bronze wheels in smoky setting.

Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR

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About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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