Gazoo Racing have become the masters of the tease. Whether it's the will-they-won't-they push-pull of the GR Corolla going on sale in the UK, to the ongoing speculation surrounding a Lexus LFA successor, Toyota's go-faster arm knows how to keep us in suspense.

Thankfully, that's not the case for the GR Yaris Aero Performance, which has just received confirmation it will go on sale in the UK. Previewed in concept form earlier this year at the Tokyo Auto Salon, followed by an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and recent confirmation for the JDM market, the limited-run model will be sold exclusively through Toyota GR Centres. Deliveries to customers are expected from March 2026 onwards, with the car commanding an on-the-road price of £48,995 – a £4,745 premium over the standard GR Yaris.

So, what does that additional outlay get you? A total of six aerodynamically refined parts: a new aluminium bonnet, front lip spoiler, flat-bottom undertray, WRC-inspired rear wing, and new ducts for both the front and rear wings. Intriguingly, the kit will also include a vertical WRC-style handbrake, and the entire allocation will only be offered with the six-speed manual.

Like the gen-II car, Toyota claims the kit is the direct result of motorsport involvement, analysis of driving data, the review of feedback from drivers and detailed scrutiny of parts when they have been taken beyond the scope of their performance.

The revised bonnet is shared with the GRMN Yaris (remember that?). Said to aid cooling, the bonnet was developed and proven in cars competing in the Japanese Rally Championship. Below this, the larger front lip spoiler helps suppress front lift and enhances grip, and was developed in collaboration with pro-racer Kazuya Oshima who competes with Rookie Racing in Japan's Super Formula and Super GT series. Similarly, the flat undertray is also inspired by the flat-bottom fuel tank of the Super Taikyu endurance racers.

New ducts on the front wings release accumulating air in the front wheelhouses, which Toyota claims improves steering feel under braking and handling stability when entering a corner. The rear ducts also have a tangible effect, reducing the boxy hatch's drag coefficient.

Lastly, the large rear wing contributes to high-speed handling and braking stability. Its angle can be manually adjusted to suit different situations or circuits.

With the recent power kit for the gen-I car and now the GR Yaris Aero Performance, Toyota is proving its commitment to keeping the hot hatch relevant for UK enthusiasts who pine for the homologation heyday of Subaru and Mitsubishi battling it out with constantly revised WRXs and Evos. 

Sadly, the crazy mid-engine GR Yaris Concept also shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon remains on the tease-list.