[ad_1]
Run on Sunday, sell on Monday, that’s the old adage. Toyota has been racing the Vios in a national race for a celebrity-driven brand for three seasons (the fourth confirmed for 2021), but UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) didn’t have a sporty version of the B-segment sedan in showrooms. .
Until now. Say hello to the Toyota Vios GR-S, which gives most of us without the budget for a full Gazoo Racing product (should you sell the house for the GR Yaris?) A GR sample and a few badges to go along with it. Of course. Based on the latest refurbished 2021 Toyota Vios, the GR-S is a locally engineered model and the first to carry the GR Sport insignia in our market.
“This is a very special model for several reasons: it was developed locally, it was inspired by the success of the Vios Challenge, and above all it had to meet all the criteria of what the GR brand stands for before becoming truly award-worthy. a GR badge, ”said UMWT vice president and Gazoo Racing Malaysia motorsports director Akio Takeyama, who races in the Vios one-make series.
The Vios GR-S is more than the usual bodywork variant. The main feature is the “10-speed CVT”: Toyota has programmed the continuous automatic gearbox to have 10 virtual ratios in its manual mode. That’s three speeds faster than seven for a normal car. You can change using the direction change paddles. Toyota says the 10-speed setup improves response by keeping the 1.5L NR Dual VVT-i engine (unshifted, 107 PS / 140 Nm) in a higher RPM range.
There is more. The GR Sport comes with tuned sports suspension “for increased handling and high-speed confidence, as well as comfort.” It rides on 17-inch multi-spoke black wheels with 205/45 tires, the largest ever fitted to a factory Vios. By the way, this is the first time since the “Dugong” generation that UMWT has offered a sportier suspension option for the Vios.
To match the sportier ride there is a significantly more aggressive exterior. The Vios facelift has received an aerokit that has a front bumper “reminiscent of the GR Yaris” (the mouth has a honeycomb mesh instead of horizontal slats), a rear bumper equipped with an integrated diffuser, a spoiler of black trunk, side skirts small “10-speed” logos) and black side mirrors / door handles. A GR boot badge too.
Inside, the Vios GR-S comes with sports seats in a combination of leather and suede, with red stitching. The front seats also sport GR logos on the headrests. There is also leather on the steering wheel and shift knob, and the GR logo is repeated on the floor mats and on the start button. Another sporty touch is the red Optitron meter panel with red needles (blue-white theme on the other variants) and GR animation on the 4.2-inch multi-information display. As for the rest of the kit list, the GR Sport follows the 1.5G.
We ended with comments from GR ambassador and two-time Vios Challenge champion, Tengku Djan Ley. “It’s a shadow of the real Vios Challenge race car. It is a refined version of the race car. The Vios GR-S is not just about absolute performance or pure handling, but more importantly, it is a car capable of delivering great driving pleasure and pleasure, ”said the Prince of drift said.
“It is a car with a lot of character, it is much more attractive and has a better response from the steering. The availability of a 10-speed CVT may seem like a lot, but for a 1.5-liter, it allows the car to drive in the optimal power band and keeps it energetic throughout the RPM, ”he added.
Available in Platinum White Pearl and Red Mica Metallic, the Toyota Vios GR-S is priced at RM 97,500 on the road without insurance, plus sales tax (price 2021). It is available exclusively at GR Garage outlets and Toyota dealers participating in the Vios Challenge. What do you think of this heated Vios? Continue with the normal version if it is too much.
[ad_2]
