TOYOTA is spicing up two of its most popular models with the arrival of a sporty version of the C-HR SUV and a very hot Yaris.

The GR Yaris is a road going version of the company's World Rally Championship model and will be priced from £29,995.

With all-wheel-drive it comes with the most powerful three-cylinder engine in the world producing 275bhp which gives it 0 to 60 performance of 5.5 seconds with a top speed of 143mph.

It is also fitted with three drive modes including one specifically for the track. Fuel consumption is rated at 34mpg with emissions of 186g/km.

Almost two inches longer than a standard Yaris, the GR is a three-door model, a six-speed manual only and weighs in at some 1.6 tonnes.

That light weight gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 200.8bhp per tonne and inside the instrumentation is modified with a display that indicates the torque and turbo pressure.

The 4.2-inch TFT colour multi-information display adds an all-wheel drive indicator showing the torque distribution and mode selected for the GR-Four system and a turbo pressure monitor. The analogue meters have white figures with red pointers for high, at-a-glance visibility.

As well as the standard GR Yaris Toyota will be offering the car with a Circuit Pack with lightweight 18-inch alloys, limited slip differentials and red brake callipers priced from £33,495 and a Convenience Pack variant.

That one comes with a premium audio system, satellite navigation, parking sensors, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, ambient cabin lighting and head-up display and costs from £32,175.

Meanwhile, the GR Sport version of the C-HR is due for release next year and comes with styling tweaks as well as changes to the steering and suspension to aid dynamics.

The front and rear springs have been stiffened by 10 and 15 per cent respectively and the shock absorbers have been tuned for increased damping force, particularly on the rebound.

The 1.8-litre hybrid version comes with a larger diameter anti-roll bar that is used in the 2.0-litre hybrid for greater stiffness.

Toyota says that these measures improve body roll and pitch control. The steering system has also been tuned for better response and the GR Sport rides on model-specific tyres.

The C-HR GR Sport will be available with both 1.8 and 2.0-litre hybrid electric powertrains and prices and further specification details will be announced shortly before it goes on sale in the early part of the year.