2023 Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid #37
Pilots: L. Bertelli / S. Scattolin
Team: Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Race: 14th overall (WRC1 class) at the Swedish Rally 2023
Ixo - RAM896 (diecast)
Published 06/14/24
The first car Toyota produced was the AA model, in 1936, only for Japan’s domestic market. After WWII, Toyota expanded their operations and even began exporting cars. In 1957 they got into motor sports for the first time, entering the Mobilgas Round Australia Rally. By 1973 Toyota had a factory team to compete in the WRC, with their first win at the 1975 1000 Lakes Rally, in Finland. In 1993, they became the first Japanese automaker to win the WRC manufacturer’s title, repeating the feat in 1994. However, due to financial reasons they terminated their WRC factory effort in 1994. Nonetheless, in 2017 they were back with the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, and with a brand new car. Replacing the old Corolla WRC was the Yaris WRC.
The Yaris WRC proved to be a great car, earning Toyota the 2019 WRC driver’s and codriver’s title. The following year it did it again, and in 2021 along with the driver’s and codriver’s title, came the manufacturer’s title. However, FIA stirred up the pot by changing the rules. For the 2022 WRC season, for manufacturers to compete in the manufacturer’s championship, they had to use the new Rally1 cars. The big difference of these new cars was that they used an hybrid powertrain. The idea behind the new Rally1 class was to make the cars more eco-friendly. For instance, going from one race stage to the next, the cars had to use only the electric motor. And with that, the Yaris WRC became illegal. So, out went the Yaris WRC and in came Toyota’s new WRC weapon: the GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid.
Powering the Yaris Rally1 Hybrid is a direct-injection turbo-charged 1.6 liter inline-4 and an electric motor. Through regenerative braking the electric system generates up to 100 kW that charges a battery. During hard acceleration, the battery discharges that energy to the electric motors on all four wheels. Therefore, with the electric motors engaged the car develops around 368 kW (493 hp) and over 500 Nm of torque. Moreover, the ICE runs on environment-friendly synthetic bio-fuel. The chassis has a space-frame design that offers enhanced protection to the crew, covered up by a carbon-fiber body. Aerodynamics also play a huge part in the car’s speed, influenced by spoilers, diffusers and a ginormous rear wing. In contrast, the Rally1 Hybrid’s transmission is simpler. The differential is no longer active, though it’s still four-wheel drive with a mechanical five-speed gearbox.
For the 2022 WRC season, the new GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid filled Yaris WRC’s shoes very well. The car not only brought another manufacturer title to Toyota, it also delivered a driver’s and codriver’s title to Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen. All in all, it was six first places, one second and one third, with the duo finishing 50 points ahead of the second place Hyundai team. In 2023 expectations were high for the Rally1 Hybrid, and again, the car didn’t disappoint. Once again Toyota won the manufacturer’s championship and the Rovanperä / Halttunen team won the driver’s/codriver’s title. The GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid #37 here, piloted by Lorenzo Bertelli and Simone Scattolin in the Swedish Rally finished in 14th place.
To be honest, what caught my attention on this car was the livery. A Toyota race car with a non-boring livery 🤯?!? Not sure I ever saw that before, so I had to get one…😁 In 1:43rd, you have two options for the GR Yaris Rally1 #37. Spark also offers (offered?) this model, yet it’s currently hard to find and very expensive. To be more precise, it’s basically more than twice as much as I payed on this Ixo 😲. However, Spark made the model in the correct ride height – Ixo’s car is (a bit) too low. And of course, like always, Ixo’s aerials are on the chubby side. Even so, I dare say you get a VERY good value for your money with the Ixo. Therefor, unless the GR Yaris Rally1 is a grail model, I think Ixo’s version is all that you need.