UMW Toyota Motor adds GR Yaris with automatic transmission

Following the launch of the 2025 GR Yaris in January this year, UMW Toyota Motor now offers an additional variant with an 8-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission as a complement to the earlier variant 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT). The additional variant is priced from RM325,600 (without insurance), RM10,000 more than the GR Yaris iMT.

The addition of the new 8-speed automatic transmission (GAZOO Racing DAT) is partly at the recommendation of Akio Toyoda, a major influence and member of Toyota’s product development team (he’s a Toyota Master Driver). He has long wanted to inspire the younger generation to be enthusiastic about cars – just like he was in his younger days – and has introduced more ‘fun to drive’ models.

By offering a variant of the GR Yaris with an automatic transmission, Akio believes a wider range of people can enjoy fun and sporty driving. With the high output of the GR Yaris engine, it was necessary to ensure that the transmission would be matched so it could be reliable and durable. This led to the development of the GAZOO Racing DAT which is now available.

Extensively tested
The development of the GAZOO Racing DAT involved extensive testing in many different conditions with various road surfaces. Drivers of the TGR World Rally Team also drove prototype GR Yaris models with the transmission and provided feedback to engineers for improvements.

The control software has been optimised for engaged driving. Unlike the GR Supra and GR86 automatic transmissions where gear-shifting relies on sensing vehicle behaviour (such as deceleration g-force and speed), the GAZOO Racing DAT’s software monitors the way the driver steps on the brakes and operates the accelerator. With these inputs, it anticipates when gear shifting is optimal even before changes in vehicle behaviour occur, achieving gear selection that reflects the driver’s intentions and, thus, leads to shifting that is similar to that of professional drivers.

Enhanced control software
The GAZOO Racing DAT also allows drivers to focus more on acceleration/brake and steering manoeuvres, so non-professional drivers may be able to drive faster if they decide to go racing on a track. Enhancements to the transmission’s control software have resulted in world-class gear-shifting speeds.

Responsiveness during sporty driving has been increased by expanding the vehicle speed range for downshifting (2nd gear to 1st gear) when downshifting via the paddle shifter while driving in the D range. This shortens the time between paddle operation and the start of gear shifting, improving the sense of directness near the redline when selecting SPORT in manual mode.

Optimised shift points give characteristics as the 6-speed iMT to maximise delivery of engine power and torque to the wheels and enable optimal performance. Even casual highway driving has an energetic feel, due to the 8-speeds optimising engine speed while at cruising speeds.

Improved for 2025
The 2025 model has evolved with improvements since its original introduction in 2021. These include design changes on the bodywork, increased output from the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine (now at 300 ps/400 Nm), a new cooling package and enhanced suspension durability and handling. UMW Toyota Motor also includes the cooling package as standard (it’s an option in other markets).

Despite the higher output, durability has not been compromised. Incorporating motorsport technology developed for extreme conditions as well as new materials ensures durability.

There’s a new Drive Mode Select with Eco, Normal, Sports and Custom modes, allowing the driver to choose the best performance for both motorsports driving and daily driving. For the GR Yaris with the GAZOO Racing DAT, the shift feel and selection are a bit different. Shift feel is response-oriented in SPORT mode and has a balance between shock and response in Normal and Eco modes. In SPORT mode, response is prioritised in the D range, while using M range ensures the quickest shifting.

The all-wheel drive system in the GR Yaris can trace its roots back to the Group B Celica rallycars of the 1980s. The latest GR-Four AWD system has been improved with a new Gravel mode and updated Track mode. In Gravel mode, there is 53:47 front to rear distribution while Track Mode continuously varies the drive force distribution in accordance with the driver’s operations and the car’s dynamics. This variation can go from 60:40 to 30:70 to maintain optimum grip and stability on all kinds of surfaces.

The drivetrain includes Torsen Limited Slip Differentials at the front and rear, and Launch Control is available for the GR Yaris with GAZOO Racing DAT.

Only from GR Garage dealers
The GR Yaris and other GR models are available only from GR Garage dealerships in the Toyota network. These are specialist dealerships which also sell GR high performance products and merchandise.

With regard to the warranty, all GR models sold by authorised dealerships come with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. This is not always the case with high-performance models but Toyota must be confident that it has engineered with GR Yaris with enough durability to withstand the toughest operating conditions.

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