Koenigsegg is a Swedish high-performance sports car manufacturer known for its otherworldly vehicles. These extraordinary vehicles come with extraordinary price tags, ranging from $1.7 million to $3.65 million, depending on the model. So, it’s surprising that the brand’s multimillionaire CEO, Christian von Koenigsegg, commutes to work in a Toyota, according to a recent Instagram post.
The Japanese automaker produces some of the most popular vehicles in the world, from the small and resilient Toyota Corolla to the practical and mighty Toyota Grand Highlander (a recent addition to the family). The automaker’s portfolio is among the most diverse in the industry. It produces efficient hybrids like the Toyota Prius and thrilling sports cars such as the Toyota GR Supra. So, what’s the multimillionaire CEO of Koenigsegg’s Toyota of choice?
Von Koenigsegg commutes in a Toyota GR Yaris. ‘GR’, short for Gazoo Racing, is Toyota’s motorsport division. This division participates in automotive competitions, pushing the limits of the company’s engineering chops. There are three Gazoo Racing models in Toyota’s United States portfolio: the GR Supra, the GR86, and the GR Corolla. Von Koenigsegg’s GR Yaris hatchback is offered in several countries and regions, including Europe, Asia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and more. The Yaris nameplate is not available for the United States or Canada anymore due to sales trends.
How much does a Toyota GR Yaris cost?
According to Top Gear, the latest GR Yaris starts at around 42,690 euros, which equates to $46,707.34. So, the CEO of Koenigsegg drives a car that costs under $50,000 despite his incredible wealth and company affiliation. The question is, what’s so special about this tiny hatchback, and why would von Koenigsegg drive anything but a supercar?
Toyota GR Yaris specs
The latest iteration of the Toyota GR Yaris sports a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 280 horsepower and 287 pound-feet of torque. That may not seem very mighty until you consider the GR Yaris’ incredibly small size. It only weighs around 2,821 pounds. The hatchback has a top speed of 143 miles per hour and rockets from 0-60 miles per hour in around 5.2 seconds.
The Toyota GR Yaris is extremely quick for an affordable hatchback and its unique body style and size make it even more enjoyable to drive. In an age where automakers like GMC are producing 1,000-horsepower monsters (the Hummer EV Pickup) small, turbocharged Japanese models like the GR Yaris are still appealing to even the wealthiest consumers. Sure, Koenigsegg’s CEO can afford just about any production vehicle on the market, but millions of consumers choose the Toyota brand over competitors for a reason.
What is so special about Toyota?
Toyota completed its first passenger car, the Model AA, way back in 1936. A whopping eighty-nine years later, the Japanese automaker has sold millions of units in the most competitive markets in the world, including the United States.
What sets Toyota apart from other automakers is its attention to build quality and emerging trends. A study by iSeeCars.com concluded that the top five longest-lasting vehicles were all Toyota models. The longevity of vehicles like the original Toyota Land Cruiser and the Toyota Corolla is the stuff of legend.
Toyota became the first automaker to mass produce a hybrid vehicle in 1997 with the Prius. Since then, several industry giants have benchmarked its hybrid models. The company currently produces 15 hybrid nameplates for the United States, providing a wide variety of affordable, eco-friendly options. Some of Toyota’s most popular models are now offered as hybrids.
The company is no slouch on the performance side of things despite its bestselling models being mainstream cars and SUVs like the Camry and RAV4. The Toyota MR2, Toyota Supra, and Toyota 86 are well-liked among sports car enthusiasts. Toyota has something for everyone, and there’s no greater company cosign than the CEO of Koenigsegg cruising to work in a GR Yaris.
