You will not be surprised to hear that both of these cars are pretty much nailed on for TG hero status already. The Porsche 911 S/T is essentially a combination of all the best bits of Porsche’s latest GT cars, but made even better. It was first unveiled to the world back in August 2023 to celebrate 60 years of the 911, with just 1,963 planned for production. It uses the 518bhp 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat six from the GT3 RS but avoids that car’s rather conspicuous aero and adds a manual gearbox. It also saves weight in many ways to tip the scales at 1,380kg, making it roughly 40kg lighter than a manual GT3 Touring. And yes, they’re already being flipped for roughly twice the £231,600 base price.
The Toyota GR Yaris on the other hand was a bit of a cheapish champion when it first arrived at the start of 2020 with an entry price that snuck under £30,000. It was a proper little homologation special rally car for the road, and we fell for its chunky arched charms. Unfortunately, earlier this year Toyota announced this new facelifted version would cost £44,250 in the UK. With optional pearlescent paint our car here climbs to over £45k. Still, that pales in comparison with the £60k that Toyota is asking for the Ogier and Rovanperä special editions. Sixty thousand pounds!
We won’t even begin to try to justify that, but the facelift has brought with it some exciting updates. The turbocharged 1.6-litre 3cyl has been reworked to make it more reliable and up power from 257 to 276bhp, while torque jumps from 266 to 288lb ft. The suspension and shocks are stronger, the cabin layout has been redesigned to feel more sports car-like (crucially with a lower seating position) and the body has been toughened up with a 13 per cent increase in spot welds and 24 per cent more structural adhesive. Ultra nerdy stuff. This is promising. Oh, and that new steel mesh grille showing the GR-FOUR script on the intercooler is brilliantly 1990s.
Denne historien er fra November 2024-utgaven av BBC TopGear India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra November 2024-utgaven av BBC TopGear India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Mi5 SILENT, POSH AND LETHAL!
With its reimagined design language, BMW has done what it does best-divided opinion with the kind of fervour usually reserved for debates about pineapple on pizza.
A VIRAL ESCAPE
The last time I visited Hampi in Karnataka was back in 2021, just as the world began to shake off the COVID-19 travel bans.
FROM UNDERDOG TO CHAMPION
Thierry Neuville's Journey to WRC Glory
Max Verstappen: FOUR-TIME CHAMP UNDER THE VEGAS LIGHTS
From dominance to resilience, Verstappen cements his legacy while Mercedes shines in Sin
VOLKSWAGEN VIRTUS GT PLUS SPORT: SEXY+SPORT
Volkswagen has a knack for keeping their loyal and enthusiastic customers grinning from ear to ear. The German manufacturer has almost become synonymous with build quality, safety and performance.
BE GE AND XEV 9E Sexy and Ballsy!
Starting a review can be quite a challenge, especially when it's hard to pinpoint the flaws!
CAPTURING THE ESSENCE
Chilly, cold mornings and Mumbai is a rare combination that we seldom see in this part of our beautiful country.
BATTLE OF TWO GOLIATHS
When Luxury Meets Performance, Who Takes the Crown?
THE E-MPV THAT DARES TO DREAM BIG
The MPV market, dominated for aeons by Toyota's Innova, has always felt like a rather predictable place. It's the type of vehicle you buy not out of passion but practicality-like a pair of orthopaedic shoes.
IMPRACTICAL YET IRRESISTIBLE
Exactly ten years ago, I took my first international trip. It was to Bahrain, a country of endless desert and skyscrapers, where my aunt and uncle lived. Among their friends and neighbours, one particular gentleman, upon learning I was a budding petrolhead, took an entire day off work to take me around the city’s showrooms to see some “normal” Middle East traffic.
