Toyota GR Yaris Type 26 Adds BBS Wheels And Bridgestone Potenza Race Tires

Toyota has rolled out another small update for the GR Yaris Type 26. Nothing dramatic this time. The focus is mainly on the parts drivers actually touch and feel. Think steering wheel, steering feel, and tires.

For 2026, the car gets a new steering wheel first seen on the GR Yaris Morizo RR earlier this year. Toyota reports that racing drivers identified a problem with the old wheel. During tight turns, especially when the wheel rotates past 180 degrees, it was easy to brush the buttons by accident. Not ideal when you are driving hard.

Engineers addressed this by slightly reducing the wheel size and reshaping the grips to allow your hands to move more freely. The switches were also separated to reduce the risk of accidental presses. They are now illuminated too, which helps when driving at night or on a track.

Toyota also tweaked the electric power steering. The system now works better with higher-grip tires and racing conditions. Some of the changes involve recalibrating the steering assist and adjusting how the steering torque is measured through the torsion bar and control software.

Speaking of grip, higher-spec versions now come with more serious rubber. The RZ High Performance models are equipped with Bridgestone Potenza Race tires mounted on 18-inch BBS forged wheels. Toyota says the tires were developed through track and rally testing to maintain strong grip even during longer, hard-driving sessions.

There is also a small change in the options list. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel can now be combined with the vertical rally-style parking brake when buyers select the Navigation or Comfort packages.

The mechanical side stays the same. Power still comes from the turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine, producing 300 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Power goes to all four wheels through Toyota’s GR-Four system with front and rear Torsen differentials.

Orders for the GR Yaris Type 26 are already open in Japan. Prices start at about ¥3.6 million for the RC version and reach roughly ¥5.88 million for the RZ High Performance with the Aero Performance Package.

The GR Yaris first appeared in 2020, and Toyota has been refining it ever since with help from its rally program. Versions like the GRMN Yaris and driver-inspired editions tied to WRC names such as Ogier and Rovanperä kept the car evolving.

These latest tweaks are small, but they show how Toyota continues to fine-tune the car based on real driver feedback. If you ask us, that is probably why the GR Yaris still feels like one of the most focused hot hatches you can buy today.