PACKING 380 HORSEPOWER,
THE NEW YARIS WRC IS BUILT TO WIN

The Toyota Yaris WRC is a new generation rally car tuned to near perfection in compliance with the 2017 FIA World Rally Car Technical Regulations. Under the hood, its 1.6-liter direct injection turbo engine growls with 380 horsepower plus.

World Rally Cars are developed to compete at the highest level of WRC rallies. World Rally Cars are heavily modified in order to achieve maximum performance, but they are based on production cars. Since they are extensions of production cars, they are fitted with license plates and are able to drive on public roads.

WRC introduced World Rally Car regulations for the first time in 1997, and have implemented several updates since. World Rally Cars are equipped with 1.6-liter direct-injection turbocharged engines, and all cars—including the Yaris WRC—make use of inline four-cylinder engines mounted in a transverse position. In order to limit output, cars are fitted with air restrictors measuring 36 millimeters in diameter. Nevertheless, the cars are capable of producing maximum outputs of more than 380 horsepower, and maximum torques of more than 425 newton metres. These impressive horsepower and torque values are efficiently transmitted to all four wheels via forward six-speed sequential semi-automatic gearboxes fitted with active center differential full-time four-wheel-drive systems. In addition, the cars are equipped with dedicated aero parts that provide high driving stability, such as overfenders for increased width and large rear wings.

The Yaris WRC was developed according to World Rally Car regulations. It boasts outstanding engine performance, an intelligent four-wheel-drive system, suspension that provides superb traction, and consummate aerodynamic performance. As a result, the Yaris WRC is capable of driving on various roads across the world safely and at high speeds. Since its debut in 2017, the Yaris WRC’s engine, aerodynamics, suspension, and other components have undergone numerous updates, and the car’s performance has, as a consequence, steadily improved year after year. In 2018, the Yaris WRC won the manufacturer’s championship, and followed this up with success in the driver’s and co-driver’s championships in 2019. The 2020 edition of the Yaris WRC will be based on the 2019 model, incorporating upgrades to various parts. In particular, the team has sought both to make the car lighter and to further improve the performance of its engine.

Three kinds of tires to match road conditions

In racing, ideal tire size depends on whether the car is driving on gravel or on tarmac. Generally, 15-inch tires are used for gravel while 18-inch tires are used for tarmac. The number of tires that can be used for each championship event is regulated by the event, and the question of when to change tires is a key racing strategy.

Specifications and equipment differ depending on the specific competition or special stage

Vehicle specifications and settings change for every competition. Depending on whether the rally is held on gravel, snow, or tarmac, not only the tires but also parts such as the brakes and suspension need to be changed. For rallies held on smooth tarmac, the vehicle height should be kept to a minimum, however on rough gravel rally roads, the car should be higher to avoid contact with the road surface. Also, to accommodate changing road conditions including rain, settings such as the suspension and power train are adjusted as needed. For night driving, visibility is enhanced by installing an auxiliary light source on the hood called a light pod.

Work at the service park is a battle against time

VEHICLE SPECS