With a new homologation cycle coming in 2027, could the Yaris be replaced by another model from the Toyota range?
Photography by Toyota
Words by David Evans, DirtFish Head of Media
The Toyota GR Yaris Rally1’s glittering career in the World Rally Championship could be over at the end of next season.
With a new homologation cycle starting from 2027, design teams are considering every possibility within the confines of the next set of Rally2-based technical regulations. And, word has it, Toyota has yet to decide on a model type for the car which will be wearing its colors in Monte Carlo in 18 months’ time.
Technical director Tom Fowler saw DirtFish’s line of questioning coming and got in early.
“I’m not talking about that,” he said. “Look at the success we’ve had with Yaris – it would be surprising if we wanted to change anything.”
Toyota has been the clear leader in the Rally1 era with the Yaris, with a 65% win rate
Fowler added that attention was being paid to other areas of WRC2027 at Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Jyväskylä base.
“We’re concentrating on the mechanical parts,” he said. “The final bodywork on top of the car is something we look at much later – that’s kind of the last chapter for us. We have to focus on what’s beneath [the bodywork] right now and that’s what we’re doing.
“As we know for the 2027 regulations, everything is essentially the same for everybody – so the job of preparing a car for the 2027 regulations is potentially more straightforward than for other homologation cycles.
“When you look, for example, at the changes when we moved to the 2017 car or introduced hybrid in 2022, they were bigger [changes]. Yes, we have the cost cap to consider, but that’s possible with a very fixed set of regulations.”
The step change between generations is expected to be smaller than comparing the Yaris WRC to the GR Yaris Rally1 that replaced it
Does this mean Toyota’s 2027 challenger is up and running?
“I guess we could say we have a rolling chassis,” added Fowler, “but it’s only been rolling in cyberspace! Like I said, we’re focused on the mechanical parts first.”
To date, the GR Yaris in WRC and Rally1 form has lifted 10 of a possible 16 drivers’ and manufacturers’ championship titles – with the 2022-spec car having won 65% of the events it has started.
Words:David Evans
Tags: Tom Fowler, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, WRC 2027
Publish Date June 24, 2025 DirtFish
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