2021 Toyota GR Yaris Circuit - Offered Directly from Rowan Atkinson CBE

When Toyota decided that they wanted their many years of success in International Rallying to continue, the initial problem was selecting a model that was going to be competitive in coming years. The regulations that govern WRC rallying dictate that your car has to be based on an existing road car, a process known as homologation, and although your rally car can deviate from the road formula in many areas, in most key ones it can’t. In the past, manufacturers were able to get around this because the regulations didn’t insist on too many road-going versions, maybe 2,000 or even less, however that figure is now 25,000. Few manufacturers would even countenance building 25,000 seriously focussed rally cars and hope to find homes for them, but Toyota, always up for a challenge, did just that. Based on their successful little Yaris, and developed alongside their GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, the GR Yaris made its debut in late 2020.

This technological miracle may look like a Yaris, but the similarities are few and far between. The roof is carbon fibre saving 3.5kg, the door skins, bonnet and tailgate are aluminium, removing another 24kg and the front half of the chassis is Yaris but the rear is adapted from the Corolla and CH-R. It has the Yaris’ 2,560mm wheelbase, its light clusters, door mirrors and roof fin but that’s about it. Under the bonnet is the world’s most powerful production three-cylinder engine, a 1.6-litre with 257bhp and 266lb/ft. It features a unique block, bespoke pistons and a single-scroll, ball-bearing turbo to reduce weight with the engine itself being hydraulically mounted on one side to reduce vibration and unwanted movement. All cars were fitted with a 6-speed manual gearbox and a remarkably light, four-wheel drive system with an aluminium central transfer case and Sport and Track Modes. At the rear, there’s an electronically-controlled clutch pack to divide torque between the wheels.

When new, the GR Yaris was available with a Convenience Pack or, as here, the Circuit Pack (£3,500) designed for drivers who want the ultimate in handling response and precision. This option included lightweight 18'' BBS forged alloys, retuned suspension, mechanical front and rear Torsen diffs, red brake calipers and Michelin Pilot 4S tyres.

Finished in Platinum White Pearl and fitted from new with the Circuit Pack option, this is a UK-supplied GR that’s being offered directly from the legendary actor and comedian, Rowan Atkinson CBE. He has owned and enjoyed the car for the last three years and it has covered 6,700 miles from new supported by a full main dealer service history.

These cars are now gaining legendary status and here is a unique opportunity to own one that has been clearly been cherished and well maintained - with the added cachet of celebrity provenance.