The Toyota Vitz Hybrid GR Sport throws some extra spice into the mix
It's a factory-tuned hybrid that features Sachs sports suspension, additional spot welds in the chassis and extra braces
Toyota launched its ‘Gazoo Racing’ performance sub-brand to much fanfare.
Shortened to ‘GR’, its products were on point, with a six-speed manual version of Toyota’s rear-wheel drive Mark X representing the start of things to come in 2015. Years later, this GR performance division got the blessings from the top dog to engineer and produce series-production road cars, like the Toyota GR Yaris and GR Corolla.
Essentially, we were witnessing the rebirth of Toyota Racing Development (TRD). Finally Toyota was back with a new take on sports, and the cars were living up to the hype.
This Toyota Vitz Hybrid GR Sport is a fun take on a frugal hybrid hatch. In the case of this GR Sport product, its chassis is treated to extra spot welds and additional bracing. The standard suspension is ripped out and replaced with sports-tuned Sachs dampers, and the transmission’s ECU is recalibrated to act more sporty.
Other nice touches include an exterior body kit, sport seats, a small-diameter steering wheel, and alloy pedals. The visual enhancements give the car real impact, and it’s a pretty cool way to save some money whilst enjoying it’s fun-to-drive nature.
This could be your ideal daily driver.
The car pictured – 2018 Toyota Vitz Hybrid GR Sport.
This Toyota Vitz Hybrid was built in October 2018 and is a ‘GR Sport’ model.
That makes it a top-of-the-range sports model powered by a ‘1NZ’ 1.5-litre Toyota hybrid engine with sports-tuned automatic. It uses the same hybrid driveline as an Australian-delivered Toyota Prius C, so parts are readily available locally. This particular 1.5-litre hybrid driveline has proven itself to be very fuel efficient and reliable, and it can also power the vehicle with pure-electric drive at low speeds.
Expect fuel economy around 3.5L-4.0L per every 100km travelled. As a GR Sport model, it features a full exterior bodykit, sports-tuned chassis, Sachs performance suspension, heated sports seats with Ultrasuede trim, and more. This example comes with two keys and a full service history.
It features a smartphone-compatible stereo, keyless entry + start, plus automatic LED headlights. It was purchased as a privately owned vehicle from USS Tokyo as a grade 4.5B vehicle. Its exterior presents in above-average condition, and it has not been repaired or repainted before.
The interior also presents well.
Quick facts
- 2018 Toyota Vitz Hybrid GR Sport
- 53,140km
- 1.5-litre petrol engine with Toyota hybrid drive
- Automatic transmission / front-wheel drive
- Factory exterior body kit
- Sports-tuned chassis
- SACHS performance suspension
- Keyless entry + start
- Climate control
- Heated sports seats
- Ultrasuede interior
- Auto emergency braking (city – low speed)
- ISOIX child restraint anchorages
- Japanese stereo offers Bluetooth connectivity for phone + streaming
- Australian Apple CarPlay / Android Auto stereo available from $899 installed
- Japanese de-registration paperwork and auction paperwork available
- Price includes three-months NSW registration
- Price includes a NSW roadworthy
- Price includes federal compliance meaning the vehicle could also be registered in any other state or territory in Australia
Guided by the concept of "the most exciting car shop in town," the GR Garage will help cultivate an enthusiastic car cultureToyota Japan, 2017
