2021 Toyota Vios GR-S is the official sporty sedan we want locally

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd., the official distributor, exporter, and assembler of Toyota cars in Malaysia, officially launched the Toyota Vios GR-S. It is the company’s first-ever Gazoo Racing branded product, and it’s something that we wish we could have in the Philippines. Why? Well, it’s more than just an appearance package for the Toyota Vios.

The GR-S is a macho looking Vios especially from the front

Sure, it still uses the same 1.5-liter inline-4 with the same 106 horsepower and 140 Nm of torque, but it features mechanical bits to make it handle better. This includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with 10 simulated gears that can be controlled via paddle shifters. This allows the driver to keep the car revved high to maintain peak output.

To keep it planted, the Toyota engineers also gave the Vios GR-S a sports-tuned suspension system, and a set of 17-inch black alloy wheels with 205/45 tires. The large wheels are particularly interesting since the Vios only ever received 15- to 16-inch wheels in its past iterations.

We particularly like it in red

The exterior of the Vios GR-S was also given an extensive Gazoo Racing makeover. Up front, the stock grille was replaced by a honeycomb mesh, and the front bumper itself looks like the one found on the GR Yaris. Towards its sides, it comes equipped with an aggressive-looking side skirt, as well as blacked-out door handles and side mirrors. The rear, on the other hand, gets an integrated diffuser, and a black boot spoiler.

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Check out the Vios GR-S' diffuser and the blacked-out pieces

The sporty theme continues inside this new Vios trim. The seats are now clad in suede leather with red stitching, and the GR emblem is spread all throughout the interior as well. And lastly, the 4.2-inch multi-info display gets the Gazoo Racing start-up animation, and the gauges now come with red-colored pointers. Other than the aforementioned, the Vios GR-S gets the same amenities as the top-spec Vios G variant.

Currently, the Philippine-spec Vios which just got its facelift this year is yet to receive a “sporty” variant. In the past, Toyota Philippine did sell the Vios TRD variant, but that only came with appearance upgrades.

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The interior of the Vios GR-S

The Vios GR-S however, is currently one of the most affordable ways to get a taste of what Gazoo Racing tuned vehicles can do. It is currently priced at RM97,500 in Malaysia (around Php 1.16 million). That’s before taxes, and the Malaysian price doesn’t even include insurance and other related fees.  Now, if only it would get here to the Philippines.

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