After sitting on the bench for the better part of two decades, Toyota finally has a full lineup of exciting performance models, on offer. One of the biggest surprises is the Toyota GR Yaris, which is a modern-day, homologation, rally car. In order to find out just how fast it is, Officially Gassed pits the GR Yaris against a mildly modified Toyota Celica GT Four and a Toyota RAV4 with a peculiar engine swap. The results are shocking.
Toyota GR Yaris
The Toyota GR Yaris is the closest thing to a spiritual successor to the Celica GT Four. Both cars were developed for rallying and pack incredible performance for their respective ear. The GR Yaris currently has the most powerful inline-three engine.
The 1.6-liter turbocharged unit packs 260 horsepower, which hit the ground through Gazoo Racing’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system, through a six-speed manual. Being a circuit-pack edition, the GR Yaris comes with front and rear Torsen differentials. It weighs in at 2,822 pounds (1,280 kg).
Toyota Celica GT Four
Unlike the GR Yaris, this 1993 Celica GT Four is not completely stock. The only modification, is a boost controller, thanks to which the 3S GTE, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four makes 300 horsepower instead of the factory 239. Power goes to all four wheels through a five-speed manual. The Celica weighs in at 3,174 pounds (1,440 kg).
Toyota RAV4 SWB
The short-wheelbase RAV4 is the biggest surprise here. It features a Celica GT Four engine, although from an older ST185 model, instead of an ST205, like the one here. Both cars have the same owner, by the way. The 3S GTE is mated to a five-speed manual from a Celica GT Four ST205 and has Frankenstein driveshafts, stock differentials and prop-shaft, Mega Squirt 2 ECU, and a coil-pack conversion. The RAV4 packs 300 horsepower but weighs in at just 2,921 pounds (1,325 kg).
Quarter-mile and 0 t0 60 mph acceleration
The RAV4 has the best power-to-weight ratio – 226 horsepower per ton versus GR Yaris’ 203 horsepower per ton and Celica GT Four’s 208 horsepower per ton. Despite being lowered the RAV4’s taller statue may hinder high-speed performance. All cars are equipped with street tires.
Toyota Celica GT Four goes first to lay the benchmark. It manages a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint in 4.89 seconds, with a quarter-mile time of 13.72 seconds at 97.79 mph (157.34 km/h). Not bad at all for an almost stock 1990s Toyota.
GR Yaris heads next and manages a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of an identical 4.89 seconds. The quarter-mile, however, is much quicker at 13.26 seconds at 103. 73 mph (165.76 km/h).
“Can the RAV4 break hearts?” It manages a sprint from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.79 seconds. The quarter-mile takes 13.37 seconds at 104.13 mph (167.58 km/h).
Drag Race
Three drag races – three very different outcomes. The first race finishes with the Celica GT Four barely managing to beat the RAV4. The GR Yaris is about two car lengths behind. On the second race, however, the RAV4 narrowly wins against the GR Yaris, with the Celica GT Four following one and a half car length behind.
The third and last race finishes with the RAV4 solidifying its dominance, by gapping the GR Yaris by about a car length. Meanwhile, the GT Four was a car and a half behind the GR Yaris. Three very different outcomes, showing that it really is a question of reaction time and nailing the shift points.
Roll race
As always a 50 mph (80.5 km/h) roll race is in order and GR Yaris takes this one, with relative ease. The RAV4’s biggest advantage is its aggressive launch, which it was deprived of for the rolling race, leaving it in second place. The Celica GT Four manages to keep up with the RAV4 for a while but eventually drops behind, finishing in third place.
The RAV4, however, comes back for the second round, gapping the GR Yaris by two and a half car lengths. Once again, the GR Four falls behind. By now, it’s clear that the rolling race is between the GR Yaris and RAV4. However, it is the GR Yaris that manages to win the third roll race, by a bumper. Can you guess how far behind the GT Four was? Watch the full race to find out.
