2021 Toyota Yaris GR sold out! Special driveaway pricing drove demand for hotter rival to Ford Fiesta ST and Volkswagen Polo GTI

Well, it’s official: the new GR Yaris hot hatch has been a sell-out success for Toyota Australia, with its second batch of 100 examples sold out seven weeks after its first allocation of 1000 unit was snapped up in just one week.

That said, “a small amount of remaining stock at dealerships will be on-sold to customers as available”, according to Toyota Australia, so the GR Yaris is still technically on sale if you’re willing to buy one of the few demonstrators about.

Buyers of ‘new’ examples purchased them at either $39,950 (first 1000) or $44,950 (next 100) driveaway, well below Toyota Australia’s recommended retail price (RRP) for the GR Yaris: $49,500 plus on-road costs.

Toyota Australia vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said: “Our significant local investment in the GR brand and our customers made this pure performance car genuinely attainable; in fact, GR Yaris has exceeded expectations and ignited the market.”

Those keen on the GR Yaris shouldn’t lose hope, though, as Toyota Australia is negotiating with the factory to get more supply, which would potentially arrive in the second half of the next year, likely with different pricing again.

Either way, Toyota Australia will make the GR Yaris available again one way or another, with the Rallye flagship due in the first half of 2021. About 250 units will be up for grabs.

As reported, compared to the ‘regular’ GR Yaris, the Rallye version adds circuit-tuned suspension, front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials, 18-inch BBS alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and red brake callipers.

No matter the variant, the GR Yaris is motivated by a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine that punches out 200kW of power and 370Nm of torque.

A six-speed manual is the only transmission option for the hotter rival to Ford Fiesta ST and Volkswagen Polo GTI, which features a rally-inspired permanent GR-Four all-wheel-drive system.

Weighing in at 1280kg without a driver onboard, the GR Yaris sprints from a standstill to 100km/h in just 5.2 seconds, while its top speed is electronically limited to 230km/h.