The Rally Icon Returns: Toyota Starlet Poised for 2027 Comeback
Toyota’s high-performance division, Gazoo Racing (GR), is set to revive another iconic nameplate: the Starlet. This compact hatchback, once a popular road car, is now being redesigned to serve as the production base for the World Rally Championship’s (WRC) Rally 4 category. While the name recently reappeared on a rebadged Suzuki crossover in some markets, leaked details from Japan indicate a fully Toyota-engineered GR Starlet is finally on the way, solidifying the brand’s commitment to motorsport-derived street cars.
GR Yaris DNA in a Lightweight Package
The new GR Starlet will be a lightweight powerhouse. Reports from Best Car magazine suggest it will be powered by a 1.3-liter three-cylinder turbo engine, which is a detuned version of the formidable G16E-GTS engine found in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla.
Here’s what the rumor mill suggests for the specs:
| Specification | Detail |
| Engine | 1.3-liter three-cylinder turbo (Derived from G16E-GTS) |
| Output | 133 hp |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual (expected); 8-speed automatic (under consideration) |
| Platform | GA-B (Yaris platform) |
| Weight | ~2,160 pounds |
This engine will send power to the front wheels, distinguishing it from the all-wheel-drive nature of its GR siblings.
Launch Delayed, Limited Production
The launch of the returning Starlet is reportedly being delayed, with Toyota now targeting an October 2027 debut. The delay is attributed to the “crowded workload” of the GR department, which is concurrently developing a new GR Supra and reviving the Celica and MR2 nameplates.
To meet the homologation requirements for the Rally 4 competition class, production of the road-going version is strictly limited to 2,500 units. This limited run ensures the car will carry a high degree of exclusivity. Estimated pricing in Japan is highly competitive, sitting between $17,000 and $19,000.
Rally Focused, Purist Driven
Unlike the GR Yaris, there is currently no indication that a regular, non-performance catalog version of the new Starlet will be offered initially. This suggests the initial release will focus entirely on a competition-oriented specification, built for enthusiasts and motorsport teams. Its clear link to Toyota’s established GR performance hardware ensures that the new GR Starlet is designed from the ground up for agile handling and performance, with its first WRC appearance potentially slated for the 2028 season.
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