Lauren

I think I must be going mad, but it was reassuring to know I was not the only one when my 6am alarm went off this morning. Time for another Sunday drive. This time I had Richard from RRG Macc' out with me in their black GR Yaris demonstrator, Mark in my old GT86 along with his friend from work in a Golf GTI. As we headed out on the M56 from Manchester Airport, in the pouring rain and held a steady speed in all the standing water that was there, I pondered to myself, that this is absolute madness. As it transpired the GR Yaris took it in its stride, though Mark in the GT86 was having a few wake up calls trying to drive in a straight line. As we neared our rendezvous with Richard, I was seriously reconsidering why I had had such a bright idea to go out in these conditions. It was certainly hardcore. I reassured the convoy that things would improve as we headed down the A49 as it we emerged into daylight. I'd also pointed out that there would be no heroics and reminded all to take it easy. As it turns out things did get better as we neared Whitchurch McDonald's for our breakfast stop, though it was all somewhat relative. Breakfast helped though and it when off in the direction of Market Drayton for the Eccleshall Loop. I had my car in track mode, stability on considering the conditions. My car felt so surefooted which was reassuring and I found I could launch it out of the corners, getting on the power earlier than I felt would have been reasonable. Mark at the back in my old GT86, was having a whole different kind of fun! To be fair, there was no way this was ever going to be more than a brisk drive in places and I still have to consider that I haven't yet driven my car in the dry. This car does give you confidence though. Traction is absolute and though I had the front wheels perhaps edging into clawing their way into the tarmac, it was nearly always surprising in the manner in which the car could be fired through the apex and just tear down the next straight. I would normally of course be looking for some really fast long radius bends, where I could properly load up the chassis, but in today's conditions this was neither the time or the place and caution as they say wins. After losing Mark and his friend when they went the wrong way when we joined the M6 it was just the two GR Yaris for the drive back to Wilmslow. We took the back roads of course though inevitably there was the odd horse box and duffer along the way. Now we were two cars rather than four overtaking was a lot easier. There were a couple of times, when I went to overtake one car, only to think I may as well take the next as well. Getting to 6K rpm now I've got 500 miles on the clock, you can really make the car fly. The jet like sound from the exhaust as the revs climb to six thousand, does a bit addictive I admit. Overall in these difficult times where going out for a drive is about all you can, do much fun was had. So much so that my friend from Toyota is now buying his own GR Yaris and it only took a day with the demonstrator for him to do that! This car does impress. I am now contemplating what it might be like come warm and dry roads. My alarm for the summer on a Sunday is going to be very early indeed!

Hi Lloyd. As I"m sure you can understand, it is not for me to ask Gary about your issue. I'm pretty sure the bonnet would be removed. Good luck with it, but it would not be appropriate for met to get involved.

Oh that is interesting. I can't see that being true though.

They are. Should be available from about now. These tyres are just bonkers. I was only saying to Richard earlier that I could scarcely believe how much grip they had in wet and cold (3C) conditions chucking it down a country road at 8am on Sunday morning. They must be mega in the dry in summer!

@KobayashiMaru good review. It's got a 50L tank btw, same as a GT86. it think it is a bit more thirsty than the GT though, but more power requires more fuel. I'm averaging about 21.5mpg But once I have done a 1000 miles, I'll be sitting on the motorway at 60 with the radar cruise on lane trace assist and I'm sure I'll get some back. It is hugely competent isn't it? I've done a 100 mile drive down the A49 to Whitchurch and back at 7am this morning. I was surprised at how I quickly became so confident in the car. Those 4S tyres really are amazing, but the tautness of the chassis really helps and the damping is very good. I ran in track mode first thing when it was still raining and did notice the front diff locking and a bit of understeer as I exited a roundabout. I then went to Sport mode and that sorted that issue. I got the car into a lovely flow over some crests and nice fast bends down the A49 and I must admit, I was really starting to flow. What I am loving is that the harder you push the car, the more it delivers. That I was grinning from ear to ear, told me all I wanted to know. I really doubt anything would stay with one of these down a sodden B road in darkest December.

@will300 just read your review. I've done about twice the miles you have, though for some reason everyone and their dog seemed to be on the roads today. I'm going to wait a bit to do a review as I want to gather my thoughts more fully. I totally agree about the engine. It is impressive in that it feels a lot quicker than you expect it to be. So much so that when I overtook some duffer in second gear, I was surprised at the manner in which it gathered pace. I have not really been north of 5500rpm, but that engine loves to rev. I actually like the sound you get when inside the car, whether synthetic or otherwise. It has a very business like tone and you can hear the turbo venting to atmosphere when you attune to it. When I pulled out of RRG the steering felt very light, but it weighted up nicely at speed. I agree it doesn't seem to have the feel of the GT86, though mine is razor sharp with the poly bushes on it. I feel it's very much good enough though. I too found the seating position very high after getting out of the GT86, though I think that the GT is so low means it's a bit all relative. But like you I soon grew accustomed to it and then you don't notice it. The driving position is comfortable enough with the seats offering a similar level of support to the GT. I also found heel and toeing easy enough but you have to be on the brakes. I actually liked the brake feel, though this may be optimised more with a different pad. I have purposefully not been that hard on the brakes yet. My car has 73 miles on the clock! I have tried the different modes and you can feel it if you switch between them. I have not yet pushed hard, but driving down a greasy and wet B-road with mud on it, the car dealt with the conditions with absolute aplomb. The damping I agree feels really good. Ride is good enough and it is more refined than the GT/BRZ. Overall (maybe as I've bought one) I'd rate it higher than Will, but I probably got more opportunity to push it a bit harder on some twisty B-roads. I must say as soon as I dispatched the duffer I got into some S-Bends and wow the car quickly came alive. A glance at the speedo told me I was well north of the national speed limit. I think this car is very well sorted and the harder you work it, the better it gets. That's what I think it is going to be like. 1 minute of starting to really get it to flow down a deserted wet and sometimes muddy B road, made me think that not much would be able to keep up with it. It really does inspire confidence. I don't think the GT86 would have handled those kind of conditions with such aplomb. I know already I will have to push a fair bit harder to find its limits. Trackday booked at Blyton for 31st January.

Picked mine up today. Still grinning from ear to ear. I was genuinely shocked at how quick it feels and I haven't been near the redline yet, though got closer than I intended purely because it revved way quicker than I expected. The brakes have a great feel to them. heel and toeing is fine but you need to be on the brakes a bit, so not quite as easy as the GT86. Traction is pretty much absolute, but I haven't pushed it as my first drive was down a wet and fairly muddy B-road, but it is very confidence inspiring. I can't wait to get to know it better. Richard kindly organised for Mark, Jane and Alec to be there to greet me when I arrived. It was lovely to see them and great to have a chat and have a good look at the car.

@Kodename47 I think you need to go to Specsavers. 🤣

It arrived yesterday in the dark. I'm all ready for Saturday.

News in, from Richard. Mine should be arriving at RRG Macc today. Arranged Saturday pick up.

I haven't got a definitive answer on the BRZ. Though it is absolutely true that the alarms are fitted at Portbury Docks for the GT86. Given the BRZ has the keypad as well would then infer the same alarm which would be fitted in the same manner. I have to admit, I've never looked at this aspect of the BRZ, but cars such as these need to have a CAT1 alarm which is not required in Japan or elsewhere in the world.

Just get it done for free on the insurance. It won't affect your NCB or anything.

That car is registered to GR Europe and is far more likely to be a VLN test mule. Those cannards would never make it to a road car.

I heard that they were moving away from the 'GRMN' name, but I guess we'll see. I too think the GR86 will be more in line with the GR Supra in that it will be a much less hardcore car than the Yaris. This is not surprising of course as one would expect a homologation special to have more of an edge to it. However, it will be interesting to see what GR do with the 86.

Oh Nigel, I am shocked it's not a Japanese car. Guess the GR Yaris wasn't an option as no auto? Or are you going big and comfy?

Good luck Nigel, it has done you well. I've moved it to car for sales as it's a sales post. What are you going for next?

It will be yes. They are in the mist of launching the second car in the GR Brand, namely the GR Yaris, so would expect that to need to be out of the way first before they talk about the third car in the line up.

You tend to get what you pay for is the short answer. They'll probably be okay. IIRC a few have had issues. Cheap for a reason I'd say.

I've gone for pure white (040) with Circuit Pack. Decided to give pearlescent white a miss this time. I really like the rear arches, they are huge, they make a fairly good seat! Everyone loves it, but it seems to be taking forever. There I was thinking 5 sleeps to go and now it's 18. Gutted!

Oh the pain. Delayed till 30th November for all. The anticipation is killing me! 😫

I honestly don't think it looks anything like that Aygo. Mind you I have been looking at the GR Yaris probably a lot more keenly than you have and I have seen one in the flesh. The arches are very boxy on the Yaris like the Ur Quattro/Integrale etcetera on the Yaris whereas the Aygo is just round arch extensions. I think it's a lot fresher looking than that Aygo. I would also add that you have to get used to how a new car looks. Personally I love it as it looks every inch the rally refugee (which it is of course).

That's red, or Scarlet Flare. I'm not a fan of that colour, though many seem to love it. Thankfully they are not selling it in orange. 😂 GR colours only of course. Everyone seems to love it if you read/watch all the reviews. EVO 5 star car? Yes please. We all know how fussy EVO are when they review.

I feel happy enough now to not worry about a test drive before I pick it up.