TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) announced the creation of the MORIZO RR special edition of the GR Yaris and unveiled the model’s under-development prototype at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026.

The GR Yaris MORIZO RR is a special edition created with Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman and Master Driver Akio Toyoda, aka Morizo. It benefits from insights gained through the challenge of competing as TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing (TGRR) in the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours.

For the 2025 Nürburgring race, TGR, with its core mission of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars, joined forces with ROOKIE Racing, which hones GR vehicles. Under Morizo’s leadership, they transcended organisational boundaries and came together to form TGRR, aiming to further accelerate the making of ever-better cars.

Morizo raced the TGRR-entered GR Yaris #109, equipped with GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT). Despite the gruelling challenge of the Nürburgring, he completed more than his planned number of laps. After the team successfully finished the race, Morizo was quick to praise the GR Yaris and credited its eight-speed automatic transmission with enabling him to complete 15 laps.

The GR Yaris MORIZO RR – which takes its name from Morizo and Rookie Racing – is inspired by that experience. It is exceptional for achieving a unity of car and driver, which was cultivated at the Nürburgring. This enhances driver-vehicle interaction and confidence while making car-lovers smile and want to keep driving.

The GR Yaris MORIZO RR will be limited to 100 units in selected European markets and 100 units in Japan. The sales launch is scheduled for spring 2026.

■ Main features

Nürburgring-honed suspension

Benefiting from the powerful downforce generated by an exclusive rear wing, the suspension setup has been optimised to achieve damping forces that allow the tyres to retain firm contact with the road, even on uneven surfaces like those at the Nürburgring. The result is performance that allows for stress-free everyday driving while maintaining sporty driving performance. Control of the electric power steering (EPS) system has been modified accordingly. The high-performance vehicle was developed to generate a sense of exhilaration and new levels of fun-to-drive pleasure thanks to its uniquely enjoyable interaction between car and driver.

Exclusive 4WD control mode developed with Morizo

An exclusive 4WD control mode was developed together with Morizo. “MORIZO” mode replaces the “GRAVEL” mode of the original vehicle. The “MORIZO” mode sets front/rear initial torque and driving force distribution at 50:50.

Interior and exterior designed with the master driver and professional drivers 

The special edition features a carbon-fibre rear wing – exclusive to the GR Yaris MORIZO RR – which was developed via TGRR’s participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Other exterior enhancements include a front spoiler, side skirts, and a carbon-fibre bonnet.

The exterior colour is the GR Yaris MORIZO RR-exclusive and Morizo-favoured Gravel Khaki, which, despite its distinctive character, blends seamlessly into everyday settings. A Piano Black finish creates a sleek, sharp and lower appearance for the radiator grille, while Matte Bronze wheels complete the look.

The brake callipers and interior stitching sport Morizo’s signature yellow colour.                                   

The suede-surfaced steering wheel is also an exclusive feature. It has been given a slightly smaller outer diameter as well as modified paddle shifters and steering-wheel-mounted switches for improved operability during sporty driving. The switches are laid out independently, based on lessons learned with the GR Yaris Rally2 rally car.

The interior also features an exclusive serial number plate with a “MORIZO RR” logo.