Unleashing the Yaris: Catching up on EVERY episode so far

Unleashing the Yaris: A Journey of Performance and Discovery

The Toyota GR Yaris, straight out of the box, is a phenomenal car. It seamlessly blends modern technology with rally heritage, powered by a feisty 1.6L 

turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that sends power to all four wheels. 

When I first got mine on May 25, 2021, I knew just the basics about these cars. Mine was an ex-demo model with only 1,200 km on the clock—meaning I skipped the nine-month wait and drove off in it almost immediately. Not long after, I took it on a road trip to my hometown, Tamworth, NSW, where I was working on a film set. What started as a temporary move turned into an 18-month stay. Fast-forward to now, and here we are, reflecting on the journey through Unleashing the Yaris.

Episode 1: Tackling the First Big Upgrade

At around the 55,000 km mark, I hit my first major issue—the clutch began slipping. It’s a common problem for cars with a bit of mileage or when driven enthusiastically.

Since the gearbox had to come out anyway, it was the perfect time to make some upgrades. I opted for a heavy-duty clutch, along with a new downpipe and mid-pipe. The new exhaust setup was an instant win. It amplified the turbo spool sound,

making it more prominent both inside the cabin and out. It also seemed to improve acceleration, thanks to the reduced restriction from removing the catalytic converters.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to dyno the Yaris in its completely stock form, but a few months later, I ran it on two separate dynos. More on that shortly.

                                                                    STOCK VS AFTERMARKET COMPARISON

Episode 2: Fixing a Hidden Flaw

Not long after the exhaust upgrade, I encountered an unexpected issue—a cracked turbo oil drain pipe.

After some digging, I discovered that this is a common problem for GR Yaris models fitted with aftermarket downpipes without a flex joint. The added rigidity puts stress on the drain pipe, leading to cracks where it bolts to the engine block.

After extensive research, I found five different solutions to address this issue and chose the best option for my setup. For the full repair process, check out the Unleashing the Yaris playlist on YouTube.

Episode 3: FWD vs. AWD – Dyno Power Comparison

With the turbo oil drain pipe fixed, it was time to see what the Yaris could do on the dyno. I had the chance to run it twice—several months apart—to compare power output in both FWD and AWD modes. 

First Dyno Run

At 4,000 km, the Yaris was tested in FWD mode only, and the results were impressive:

• Power: 187 kW
• Torque: 333 Nm

For a street-driven Yaris, these numbers exceeded my expectations.

Second Dyno Run

At 84,000 km, I ran the Yaris again at Crank Motor Werkes, this time testing both AWD and FWD to evaluate drivetrain loss. 

• AWD Mode:

  • Power: 150 kW
  • Torque: 292 Nm             

  These numbers were in line with what I’d seen online and reflected typical AWD performance.

• FWD Mode ('Dyno Mode'):

  • Power: 184 kW
  • Torque: 348 Nm

  Interestingly, it produced slightly less power but more torque in FWD mode—something I didn’t expect!

Episode 4: First Time on the Drag Strip

My first-ever experience with drag racing was an absolute blast! I managed two runs down the quarter mile, giving me a taste of what the Yaris could do.

Run 1: I was a bit slow off the mark, with a less-than-ideal reaction time. Still, I clocked a respectable 13.429 seconds—right in the ballpark of reported stock GR Yaris times, though some claim a best of 12.6 seconds. Track conditions, tires, and driver experience likely played a role in those faster times.

While the experience was incredible, I don’t plan on taking the Yaris back to the strip anytime soon. I’ve achieved what I wanted to, and drag racing is tough on drivetrain components.

Final Thoughts

From slipping clutches to turbo fixes and dyno runs, the Yaris has been through quite the journey so far. Each episode of Unleashing the Yaris has brought new challenges and discoveries, showing just how much potential this little hot hatch has.

Stay tuned for more as I continue to explore what the GR Yaris is truly capable of. And if you’re curious about the details, check out the full episodes on YouTube!