Response to the Toyota GR Yaris and Vios GR-S, which were launched simultaneously last month, has been “exceptionally positive and strong”, UMW Toyota Motor said in a statement. The company went on to say that orders are “exceeding expectations”, although no exact figures were disclosed.
Essentially a World Rally Championship (WRC) car built for the road, the GR Yaris rides on a unique platform combining Toyota’s new GA-B platform and a rear section adapted from the GA-C platform. Powering the three-door hatchback is a turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine with 261 PS @ 6,500 rpm and 360 Nm of torque @ 3,000-4,600 rpm. A six-speed manual transmission channels the output to the ground via a permanent all-wheel-drive system known as GR-Four. Only 25,000 units are built and we get just 200 units, each priced at RM299,000.
Meanwhile, the Vios GR-S is the very first locally-engineered model to wear the Gazoo Racing Sport badge since the introduction of the GR Supra and the GR Yaris. Based on the facelifted Vios G, this model gains an aerokit with a rear diffuser, as well as blacked out boot spoiler, side skirts and side mirrors. 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Toyo tyres and a smattering of GR logos on the inside complete the Vios Challenge race car-inspired look. But that’s not all as the Vios GR-S also gets a sports-tuned suspension and a 10-speed CVT with Sport mode and paddle shifters. It is available exclusively at all GR Garage outlets and Toyota dealers participating in the Vios Challenge.
Here’s the press release with more:
PRESS RELEASE
Launched just under a month ago, response to the new Toyota GR Yaris and Toyota Vios GRSport have been exceptionally positive and strong, with orders exceeding expectations.
Toyota will produce only 25,000 units of the GR Yaris for worldwide sale and approximately 200 have been allocated for the Malaysian market. The hatchback model is a ‘Homologation Special’ developed from experience gained participating and winning World Rally Championship events. It has high-performance specifications which make it immediately ready for use in any international FIA-sanctioned motorsport competition.
The Vios GR-S is the latest variant in the Vios range with performance oriented features and suspension tuning. It has been developed exclusively for the Malaysian market and offers a racing car character with comfort for the daily drive.
The GR Yaris, priced from RM299,000, and the Vios GR-S, priced from RM95,284, are available only at authorized Toyota dealerships with the GR Garage. These dealerships also offer the GR Supra, GR items for enhancing the appearance and performance of Toyota models, as well as aftersales support.
“We are delighted by the response to the new GR models although this has also been the same in other markets for the GR Yaris. The model is competition-ready as it has been developed from the start to meet international FIA regulations so all an owner really needs to do is install the required safety equipment and he or she is ready to go racing! As the car is road-legal, those who do not use it for motorsport can still enjoy the high performance provided by the 261 hp 1.6-litre turbo unit which is currently the lightest and smallest engine in production,” said Akio Takeyama, UMW Toyota Motor’s Deputy Chairman and Gazoo Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsports Officer.
For the Malaysian market, the GR Yaris will come with a standard Performance Pack as well. Additionally, UMW Toyota Motor is offering an ‘Early Bird Package’ (limited to the first 65 bookings) which consists of an exclusive helmet bag, a GR Yaris scale model and participation in a GR Yaris Driving Experience in 2021 to learn to enjoy the GR Yaris to the fullest.
“While 2020 has been a challenging and difficult year, we are happy to be providing some excitement in the Malaysian market as a prelude to a better year ahead. Our Toyota line-up has been broadened with additional models and variants to meet every type of requirement. As always, we offer the best value for money and we also make it easier to purchase a new Toyota with a choice of financing schemes,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.
“To our valued customers, business associates and all Malaysians, we wish you a Happy New Year. Let us together pray for a better year ahead while continuing to observe the Standard Operating Procedures to protect each other,” he said.
