Toyota Unveils Hardcore GR Yaris Morizo RR After Playful Kei Truck Tease
The Nürburgring-honed hot hatch will be limited to just 100 units in Japan and 100 in Europe, featuring an 8-speed automatic and exclusive aero.
A Surprise Reveal at Tokyo Auto Salon
Akio Toyoda took center stage at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, opening a press conference by recounting the successes of Toyota Gazoo Racing in 2025. Anticipation was high for a new mid-engine, two-seater sports car, but the company first pulled the wraps off a different kind of vehicle: a Kei truck.
In a playful misdirection, Toyota revealed two compact pickup-style vehicles, one from Toyota Gazoo Racing and another from its subsidiary Daihatsu. The company argued it hadn’t misled the audience, as the Kei truck’s cabin sits over the front axle, technically making it a mid-engine, two-seat vehicle.
The presentation also featured a mock ‘face-off’ between Hiroki Nakajima, the company’s executive vice president representing Toyota Racing’s WEC and NASCAR programs, and Toyoda, representing Gazoo Racing’s WRC efforts. But the main event was still to come.
The GR Yaris Morizo RR: More Aggressive Than Ever
Toyota then unveiled its latest creation: the GR Yaris Morizo RR. This is not a concept but a limited-production model, developed from Toyoda’s personal experience driving at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The new variant is a track-focused machine equipped with the recently introduced 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The Morizo RR features exclusive dampers and steering response, among other track-focused upgrades.
The car features a special Gravel Khaki body color, a Piano Black grille, Matte Bronze wheels, and brake calipers finished in Toyoda’s signature yellow—a color also found on interior stitching. Its aggressive appearance is reminiscent of the Lexus LBX Morizo RR concept shown in early 2024.
Engineered for the Circuit
Aerodynamic enhancements include a new carbon fiber rear wing developed from experience at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Gazoo Racing is testing a similar wing for the GR Yaris Rally1 car that will compete in the 2026 WRC season. The Morizo RR also gets a new front spoiler, side skirts, and a carbon fiber hood, distinguishing it visually from the standard GR Yaris.
The suspension and electronic power steering response are exclusive to this version, tuned to maximize tire grip on uneven surfaces like those at the Nürburgring. A unique “Morizo RR” driving mode replaces the standard Gravel mode, setting the all-wheel-drive system’s initial torque distribution to 50:50 between the front and rear axles.
Inside, the car features a smaller-diameter, suede-wrapped steering wheel. The button layout has been optimized based on feedback from rally drivers like Oliver Solberg, Alejandro Cachón, and Jan Solans, who have campaigned the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in recent years.
Only 100 units are allocated for Japan and another 100 for Europe.
A Lottery for a Limited Run
Production will be strictly limited. Japan will receive 100 units, each with a numbered plaque. Exclusive touches include a unique headrest design, a special display for the Morizo mode, and Toyoda’s “Morizo” signature on the windshield.
The car will be available from spring 2026, but purchasing one in Japan will require some luck. It will be sold via a lottery system, with tickets offered through the official GR application. Another 100 units are slated for select European markets, offering a chance for enthusiasts there to acquire the highly exclusive model.
