Remember the days when special edition road cars were regularly sold to commemorate the achievements of the world’s greatest rally drivers? We’re talking about cars like the Mitsubishi Evo VI Tommi Makinen Edition and the Subaru Impreza Series McRae.
Hang on though, because before we get all misty-eyed about the good old days, Toyota has something it wants to show us all…
Say hello to the GR Yaris RZ Sébastien Ogier Edition and the GR Yaris RZ Kalle Rovanperä Edition. Yes please.
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We’re told that Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda wanted to develop the two special editions to “express my respect and gratitude to the drivers who hone and grow our cars in rallies, to all the teams that provide us with such opportunities, and to rally organisers and all others involved, as well as to fans.” What a legend that man is.
Anyway, just 100 examples of each of these road-going special editions will be built, and unfortunately they’ll only be sold in Japan via a lottery system. Boo.
Both cars are based on the recently facelifted GR Yaris in its Japanese-spec RZ High Performance trim, which essentially means they’re equipped with a Torsen limited slip diff.
Both feature new and slightly different CFRP rear wings too, while the Ogier Edition is finished in matte grey with French flags dotted around, and the Rovanperä Edition looks like it has fallen into many different vats of paint.
That is actually paint though rather than a wrap, and we’re told that the livery was designed by the same artist who draws on the helmets that Rovanperä uses while rallying. Pretty cool.
It’s not just paint and commemorative plaques that set these two cars apart from the standard GR Yaris, either. Both Ogier and Rovanperä were allowed to design their own drive modes to replace the standard ‘Gravel’ and ‘Track’ modes.
In the Ogier Edition that means you now get Normal mode (pretty self explanatory), Morizo mode (named after Akio Toyoda and designed for rapid lap times) and Seb mode (more torque to the rear wheels).
In the Rovanperä Edition the modes are Normal, Donut mode (for drifting and donuts, obvs) and Kalle mode (ideal settings for Scandi flicks). Nice.
Toyota says that every buyer will also get an invite to Rally Japan this year where they’ll be able to meet both drivers. Presumably while there they will also have to apologize to one for not choosing their special edition. Which one would you go for, dear readers?
Note: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
