Starting August 21, Japanese owners of the two performance models can download the Circuit Mode app.
Toyota’s GR Yaris is a car that owners will want to take to the track, so Toyota has developed a special smartphone app to enhance their driving experience.
Starting August 21, the Circuit Mode app will be available in Japan for owners of GR Yaris models produced since April 2024, as well as for those with a Lexus LBX Morizo RR, which features the same turbocharged three-cylinder engine.
The app includes configurable shift lights to help you time gear changes precisely, but that’s not all—it also claims to enhance your speed by increasing the car’s electronic speed limiter. This limiter is typically set at 180 km/h (112 mph) under a voluntary agreement among Japanese automakers.
The app also claims to enhance cornering speed by better managing turbo boost. To prevent overheating from the increased speed, it optimizes the cooling fan’s operation for track use.
Toyota states that the app includes data for 34 racetracks across Japan, such as Fuji Speedway, Suzuka, and Sodegaura Forest Raceway. Your smartphone uses GPS to detect when you’re at one of these tracks, unlocking the app’s various functions.
Although not available in the US, the GR Yaris has gained popularity among enthusiasts in Europe, Australia, and Japan since its 2020 debut. Earlier this year, Toyota introduced an eight-speed automatic transmission option, updated the interior, and enhanced the 1.6-liter engine to increase power from 268 hp (272 PS) to 300 hp (305 PS), matching the output of the GR Corolla sold in the US.
Just last month, Lexus equipped its LBX subcompact SUV with the 300-horsepower all-wheel-drive setup, branding it the LBX Morizo RR.
