AST x MOTON Coilovers — Toyota GR Yaris (GXPA16)

Why AST x MOTON Suits the GR Yaris

The GR Yaris is one of the most over-engineered hatchbacks ever built. Toyota Gazoo Racing took a Yaris shell, gave it a bespoke rear floor, fitted a double-wishbone rear, dropped in the G16E-GTS three-cylinder turbo, and bolted on the GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system — all with a homologation programme that traces directly back to WRC. The factory chassis is genuinely capable, and the factory suspension is genuinely good. But it's also a sealed, fixed-tune system with no rebuild path — which is the opposite of what a car built to be tracked, rallied, and developed wants.

AST and MOTON give the GR Yaris what its motorsport heritage suggests it should always have had: full damper adjustability, spec'd spring rates, camber-adjustable front tops, and a hardware platform you can revalve and rebuild as your build evolves. A car designed for sustained motorsport use deserves suspension designed for the same.

Both AST and MOTON already have dedicated SKUs for the GR Corolla GZEA14 (we list them at AST x MOTON for GR Corolla at $6,930 and $10,475 respectively) — confirmation that the AST/MOTON engineering programme has the GR-FOUR platform fully covered. The GR Yaris GXPA16 is built to order against the same platform philosophy: spring rate and valving spec'd to your build before manufacture, not picked from a one-size-fits-all shelf product.

The AST x MOTON Range for the GR Yaris

Made-to-order at the Dutch facility against the GXPA16 platform. Available configurations:

• AST 5100 Competition (Inverted): The flagship single-adjust setup. Inverted strut, camber-adjustable front tops, rebound damping. The benchmark fast-road-plus-trackday choice for a GR Yaris that gets driven hard but lives on the road most of the time.
• AST 5200 Series (2-Way): Independent rebound and compression with remote reservoirs. The right tier for a GR Yaris running regular track days, hill climbs, or club-level rallying — separating compression and rebound damping unlocks setup precision that single-adjust can't reach on AWD platforms.
• AST 5300 Series (3-Way): Rebound, low-speed compression, and high-speed compression each on its own knob. Top of the AST range, for serious time-attack and tarmac rally use.
• MOTON 1-Way Clubsport: Non-inverted monotube, 1-way 12-position rebound, camber-adjustable front tops. The motorsport-tier entry point.
• MOTON 2-Way Clubsport: Inverted, monotube, independent rebound and compression with remote reservoirs. 15-step damping adjustment. Strong choice for a GR Yaris running tarmac rally or serious club-level competition.
• MOTON 3-Way Motorsport: Inverted, monotube, elevated top guide and helper piston. Independent rebound, low-speed compression, and high-speed compression. The damper spec for GR Yaris programmes running aero, slicks, or full motorsport calibration.

Talk to us about your build before ordering — spring rate and valving spec are made-to-order, so the kit can be tuned to street use, gravel rally, tarmac competition, or pure track work depending on what you're doing with the car.

Tuning and Setup

The GR Yaris responds well to a setup that respects its AWD nature. Front-end grip is more critical than the cylinder count suggests, because the GR-FOUR system relies on the front tyres for both turn-in and traction-out. A few essential reads:

• 1-Way vs 2-Way vs 3-Way Adjustable Damping Explained — what each adjustment actually controls, and where the AST 5100, 5200, and 5300 sit.
• How to Adjust AST & MOTON Coilovers — practical guide to where the knobs are and how to develop a baseline setup.
• Camber Explained — Street & Track Setup Guide — the AWD camber section is directly applicable to GR Yaris alignment work.

After installation, a full four-wheel alignment is essential. On the GR Yaris specifically, take advantage of the new front camber adjustment range from the AST/MOTON top mounts, and pair it with rear camber adjustment from the Hardrace rear upper camber kit (see below).

Pair With Your GR Yaris Build

The GR Yaris shares its drivetrain — and most of its aftermarket — with the GR Corolla. That means a strong cross-sell ecosystem of confirmed shared-platform products:

• Big Brake Kits: Brembo Pista Front BBK 355×32mm ($7,699) or the Alcon TA6+ Front BBK 355×32mm (from $4,390) — both purpose-spec'd for the GXPA16/GZEA14 front-end.
• 2-Piece Rotor Upgrades: DIXCEL 2-Piece Front Rotors 356×28mm ($1,449), Paragon 2-Piece Front Rotors 356×28mm, or DBA T3 5000 2-Piece Slotted 356×28mm — direct bolt-on for the OEM caliper.
• Brake Pads: DIXCEL M Type Front Pads (GR Yaris / GR Corolla / LBX Morizo RR) for clean street use, or step up to Z Type for spirited and trackday use — see the DIXCEL compound guide.
• Brake Thermal Management: Elig Titanium Brake Pad Shims — 6× the heat resistance of steel, reduces fluid boiling and pedal fade.
• Engine Internals: ARP Pro Series Cylinder Head Stud Kit ($855) for tuned cars, ATI Super Damper ($885) for crank vibration management.
• Drivetrain: Hardrace Rear Differential Anti-Vibration Inserts for sharper throttle response, Hardrace Billet Shifter Mounting Bushings for slop-free gear changes, and Hardrace Rear Reinforced Billet Engine Mount.
• Chassis: Hardrace Rear Upper Camber Kit for matched rear camber adjustment, plus the Hardrace 25.4mm Rear Sway Bar ($461) for adjustable rear-end stiffness.
• Fuel system: Radium Engineering Fuel Rail (G16E-GTS) — the prerequisite fuel system upgrade for any tuned GR Yaris running larger injectors or higher boost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are AST and MOTON coilovers actually available for the GR Yaris?

Yes. AST and MOTON are made-to-order at the Dutch facility for the GXPA16 GR Yaris. Spring rate and damper valving are spec'd to your build before manufacture — this is the standard AST/MOTON model, not a workaround. We have dedicated SKUs already in place for the GR Corolla GZEA14 (which shares the GR-FOUR platform with the GR Yaris), so the engineering programme is well-developed for the platform family. The benefit of made-to-order is that the kit you receive is tuned to how you actually drive the car.

Which AST or MOTON series is right for my GR Yaris?

For a street-primary car with occasional spirited drives or trackdays, AST 5100 Competition is the benchmark. For a regular trackday, hill climb, or club-level competition car, AST 5200 2-way is where most serious GR Yaris builds land. For tarmac rally, time attack, or full motorsport use, MOTON 2-way or 3-way is the correct spec.

How does the GR Yaris kit differ from the GR Corolla?

They share the GR-FOUR drivetrain and engine, but the GR Yaris has a shorter wheelbase, lighter overall weight, and different geometry. AST and MOTON build platform-specific kits — the GR Yaris and GR Corolla part numbers are not interchangeable. If you want to see the equivalent GR Corolla product as a reference, browse the AST x MOTON for GR Corolla page.

Are AST and MOTON coilovers rebuildable?

Yes. Every AST and MOTON damper is fully serviceable. Seals can be replaced, oil refreshed, and the internal valving respec'd for a new spring rate, aero package, or shift from street to competition use. A well-maintained set lasts decades rather than being a consumable — particularly important on a car that's likely to see hard use over its life.

Will coilovers affect the GR-FOUR AWD system?

No — the GR-FOUR system runs entirely off engine and drivetrain inputs and is unaffected by suspension changes. What does change is how the AWD system uses its grip: a properly damped chassis with correct camber gives the front tyres a better contact patch under load, which translates directly into how the car drives in Normal, Sport, and Track modes.

What's the lead time?

Made-to-order builds typically run around four weeks for the standard AST range, longer for MOTON or custom-spec AST. If you're targeting a specific event, talk to us before ordering — we can sometimes expedite a build, and occasionally there's stock available.

Do I need camber plates separately?

No. AST 5100 Competition, 5200, 5300, and the full MOTON range for the GR Yaris ship with camber-adjustable front top mounts as standard. For matched rear camber adjustment, pair with the Hardrace Rear Upper Camber Kit.

Do I need a wheel alignment after fitting?

Yes, always. Any ride-height change alters camber, toe, and caster — so a full four-wheel alignment is essential after installation. On the GR Yaris specifically, take advantage of the new camber adjustment range to dial in front camber suited to your tyre and driving plan.