-Apex Posted December 23, 2020 Posted December 23, 2020 The Toyota GR Yaris Lives Up to the Legendary Celica GT-Four The Toyota GR Yaris had a lot to live up to. Though not as famous as counterparts from Subaru, Mitsubishi, Lancia, and Ford, the Toyota Celica GT-Four was still a great rally homologation special. Built over three generations, the Celica GT-Four was the basis for a formidable World Rally Championship machine. With the second-generation ST185 GT-Four, Toyota took three driver's titles and two manufacturer's titles. But the third-generation GT-Four, the ST205, is arguably the most famous. This was the car with which Toyota deployed an ingenious cheat to skirt turbocharger restrictions in 1995 and gain extra horsepower. It also got Toyota banned from the WRC, with the team not returning until 1997. But let's put cheating aside for a bit. The roadgoing Celica GT-Four ST205 was arguably the cream of the crop, and the new GR Yaris had to be able to stand proud next to it. Fortunately, the new Yaris does. English TV show Fifth Gear got the two together on track, and while host Jason Plato enjoys driving the ST205, the GR Yaris is much quicker and much sharper. That's not really a surprise, given how automotive technology has moved on in the last 25 years, and the fact that the Yaris is lighter and more powerful. Still, the ST205 is very appealing, and unlike the GR Yaris, you can buy one in the U.S. now. Believe me, it's tempting. 1
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