Automatic Toyota GR Yaris will be a “game changer”, says Akio Toyoda – report

Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda has heaped praise on a new automatic transmission being developed for the Toyota GR Yaris, a pint-sized hot hatch with the world's most powerful three-cylinder engine.

The former global CEO of Toyota, who is known for his love of motorsports – and races under the pseudonym 'Morizo' – called the new Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) a "game changer" in the GR Yaris hot hatch, according to company magazine Toyota Times.

Unconfirmed reports out of Japan from September 2023 suggest Toyota will release an updated GR Yaris within six months – possibly named Evolution II – and with a minor power increase from 200kW currently to 221kW, matching the GR Corolla.

While there are few details available on the new gearbox, an interview with Toyota racing driver Hiroaki Ishiura suggested the transmission's torque converter immediately locks up when it changes gear – unlike most automatic transmissions which won't lock until the vehicle stops accelerating.

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The interview also revealed the Direct Automatic Transmission will change down gears on its own when the vehicle is under hard braking.

Previously reported information says the DAT will be an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters, to be offered as an alternative to the six-speed manual fitted as standard.

"DAT will be a game-changer. Auto transmissions are more than just slower versions of manuals that we put up with because they make it easier for many to drive, like some think," Mr Toyoda told Toyota Times.

"I really want to make this (commercial release) happen, and for many people to drive these cars," he added.

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Mr Toyoda also admitted that while he loses time shifting gears manually on a race track's straight compared to professional drivers, his time was almost identical to a pro driver's lap time when driving the automatic version.

"One thing I learned in [the Super Taikyu racing series] is the difference in shifting between myself and the pro drivers. When changing gears on a straight, I lose 0.2 seconds. With two changes, I fall nearly half a second behind," he explained.

"With DAT, there’s no time lost when shifting, so the gap between myself and the pros was smaller than usual. I can just concentrate on braking and accelerating."