On the different finish of the spectrum from the Prius is the facelifted Toyota GR Yaris, which has additionally been launched in Indonesia on the Gaikindo Indonesia Worldwide Auto Present (GIIAS). The revised rally-inspired über hatch makes its ASEAN debut with revised appears to be like, extra energy and a brand new automated gearbox choice.
The usual transmission remains to be the guide, which works for 1,150,000,000 rupiah (RM332,000), whereas the auto retails at 1,198,000,000 rupiah (RM345,900). Just like the Prius, the GR Yaris is an indent order automotive with a minimal wait time of three months relying on the output of the Motomachi plant in Aichi, Japan.
Beneath the bonnet lies the identical G16E-GTS 1.6 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, nevertheless it’s been fettled with a strengthened valvetrain, a brand new exhaust valve materials and higher-pressure direct injection to each produce extra energy and enhance sturdiness. New pistons with wear-resistant rings have additionally been added.
The result’s that the three-pot now delivers 33 PS extra at 305 PS at 6,500 rpm, whereas torque has been bumped up by 30 Nm to 400 Nm, made between 3,250 and 4,600 rpm. These figures, by the best way, are for the Japanese market, which the Indonesian web site quotes; the remainder of the world will get 280 PS and 390 Nm. With the additional energy comes a quicker century dash, the GR Yaris now getting from zero to 100 km/h three tenths of a second faster at 5.2 seconds.
However the massive information, in fact, is the brand new eight-speed GR Direct Automated Transmission. This isn’t your typical Toyota slushbox – it’s been developed to ship the quickest potential downshift and anticipate the proper gear choice based mostly on brake and throttle enter. It additionally will get heat-resistant clutch materials, a brand new torque management system and a compact, high-response linear solenoid. All this, plus extra closely-spaced ratios, enable the auto GR Yaris to realize faster lap occasions in comparison with the guide mannequin.
After all, actual automotive fans will nonetheless be capable of get the automotive with a six-speed guide (which will get a brand new dual-mass flywheel) with automated rev-matching, which this Emotional Crimson present unit is. Elsewhere, there are new Sport, Regular and Eco drive modes which were divorced from the GR-4 all-wheel drive’s operation, with the auto moreover getting faster shifts and throttle response within the Sport setting.
The AWD system has additionally been reconfigured – as a substitute of the front-to-rear break up being fastened at 60:40, 30:70 or 50:50 relying on the drive mode, the brand new GR Yaris will get variable torque distribution that adjustments based mostly on the mode. In Monitor mode, the automotive will shift wherever from 60:40 on nook entry to 30:70 on nook exit, the latter to maximise traction and acceleration.
In the meantime, the brand new Gravel mode defaults to 53:47 and can robotically alter in response to the motive force’s inputs, car behaviour and street or observe circumstances. The GR Yaris additionally lastly will get the Efficiency Pack (which Malaysian vehicles got here with) as customary, gaining Torsen entrance and rear limited-slip differentials and light-weight BBS 18-inch alloy wheels.
Beneath the pores and skin, a 13% enhance in spot welds and 24% in structural adhesive has led to a stiffer physique shell, bettering yaw response, steering suggestions and grip really feel. The entrance MacPherson strut and rear double wishbones – the latter being unique to the GR Yaris, bear in mind, because of the usage of the Corolla’s GA-C platform on the again – additionally get new springs for higher dealing with, plus extra bolts on the dampers to scale back alignment adjustments beneath load and enhance steering response.
Whereas many of the adjustments have been mechanical in nature, there have additionally been vital (and principally practical) tweaks on the surface. The entrance bumper is all new and options enhancements taken from motorsports – the grille (which feeds air to the improved cooling package deal, together with a brand new transmission oil cooler for auto fashions) will get a stronger steel mesh, whereas the three-piece development signifies that any localised injury could be repaired by changing the particular half as a substitute of the entire bumper.
The bumper corners have additionally been formed to resemble flics, decreasing entrance raise. Transferring to the again, you get redesigned full-width taillights (once more, unique to the GR Yaris) that now incorporate the fog and reverse lights. This strikes them away from the rear bumper – which itself receives a diffuser cutout to scale back drag – to reduce the danger of injury. The third brake gentle has additionally been moved downwards for higher visibility and to make it simpler to swap out the tailgate spoiler.
Inside, the adjustments are much more colossal, with an all-new dashboard once more being impressed by motorsports. The businesslike, nearly industrial vehicle-esque angular centre console has been canted by 15 levels in the direction of the motive force to make sure straightforward attain of all main controls, together with the nine-inch infotainment touchscreen. A brand new 12.3-inch digital instrument show has been added as nicely, with completely different layouts for Regular and Sport modes and a transmission oil temperature readout for auto fashions.
Outward visibility has additionally been improved by reducing the highest fringe of the sprint by 50 mm and elevating the rear-view mirror, with a corresponding seat peak drop of 25 mm for a sportier driving place. As for the entrance passenger, they get a bigger storage tray in entrance of them that additionally gives extra house for putting in further gauges or a co-driver monitor.
With the facelifted GR Yaris now being offered in Indonesia, we will count on the new three-door to reach in Malaysia sooner quite than later. Would you purchase the brand new auto mannequin or stick to the honest-to-goodness guide? Pontificate within the feedback after the soar.
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