Toyota Yaris AP4 makes NZ competition debut

New Zealand’s first Toyota Yaris AP4 made its first public appearance on Sunday, March 27, competing in the Piakonui Road Rallysprint.

Driven by 2016 New Zealand Rookie Champion Carl Davies, the Yaris is believed to be the first “true” AP4 car in the country, having been built with a 1600cc turbocharged engine.

As can be seen from the photos below (courtesy of Geoff Ridder), no expense has been spared in the building of the car.

Davies had a successful day in the new Yaris. On the first of four runs he was 21 seconds slower than the AP4+ Mazda 2 of eventual winner Andrew Hawkeswood, but by the fourth and final run that gap had been reduced to less than 11 seconds over the 7.80km stage.

The debut run in the car saw Davies finish in 13th place, with the car set to make its NZRC debut at the Otago Rally on April 8 and 9.

- Peter Whitten

Photos: Geoff Ridder

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