The Toyota GR Yaris has been receiving praise from all corners in recent months and in this latest review of the potent hot hatch, Top Gear’s Jack Rix reveals just how special it is.

Toyota initially intended for its 2021 WRC racer to be based on the GR Yaris, but later changed its mind. In any case, the small hot hatch it is right at home being thrown through corners in anger and driven at the very limit.

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Key to the GR Yaris’ performance is its 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that is rated at 257 hp and 265 lb-ft (360 Nm) of torque. While that is less power than its front-wheel drive hot hatch rivals, the GR Yaris is quite light, tipping the scales at just 2,821 lbs (1,280 kg). As such, it doesn’t need the same grunt as its competitors in order to deliver eye-opening performance.

Also making the GR Yaris special is the fact that it has a complex all-wheel drive system and an excellent six-speed manual transmission. The example tested here was also equipped with the available Circuit Pack that includes limited-slip differentials at both the front and rear axles, plus some other performance goodies.

Recent photos shared to social media by Chris Harris indicate that Top Gear recently filmed a special segment on WRC homologation specials featuring the GR Yaris and some other road-legal icons, including the Lancia Delta Integrale and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Tommi Makinen Edition.