Toyota has started assembling the GR Yaris at the Motomachi facility in Toyota City, Japan, close to where the iconic Lexus LFA used to be put together.

The first unit of the WRC-derived hot hatch rolled off the line on August 26 at the new factory, which is dedicated to making GR sports cars.

“The factory comprises several distinct assembly cells, connected by automatic guided vehicles, and includes conveyor-less body and assembly lines”, the automaker explained. “These processes have enabled the facility to produce highly rigid bodies – essential for sports cars – and to ensure highly accurate assembly – both of which are challenging to do on standard, high-volume production lines.”

Deliveries of the GR Yaris will commence in late 2020 / early 2021, with those who reserved the first build slots back in March being prioritized.

For a subcompact hatchback, the model comes at a hefty €33,200 ($39,692) in Germany and £29,995 ($40,222) in the United Kingdom for the regular GR Yaris, or £33,495 ($44,915) for the GR Yaris Circuit Pack. The latter adds the front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials, performance-tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels shod in 225/40 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires.

In the Land of the Rising Sun, the GR Yaris’ 1.6-liter three-pot develops 268 HP (272 PS / 200 kW) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque, while in Europe, it’s offered with 257 HP (261 PS / 192 kW) and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm), paired to a six-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive. The 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration takes less than 5.5 seconds, and top speed is limited to 143 mph (230 km/h).

The GR Yaris won’t launch in the United States.