Toyota Yaris Turbo Concept Revealed: 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon
It certainly won’t be grabbing headlines like the twincharged GT 86, but a turbocharged Yaris unveiled today at the Tokyo Auto Salon is a more realistic look at future product.
Never before has the Yaris been accused of being a hot hatch, but it’s getting there thanks to the help of Toyota’s motorsports partner Gazoo Racing. Built by the race shop’s GRMN tuning division the factory 1.5-liter 4-cylinder gets pushed to 150 hp, while torque rises to 151 lb-ft.
Based off the Japanese Vitz (sold as the Yaris in North America), it might not be a Fiesta ST killer, but it should certainly deliver more fun behind the wheel thanks to a reworked suspension, 17-inch wheels with wide 215/45/17 Bridgestone tires, upgraded brakes and a Helical limited slip differential to help put the added power down in the corners.
SEE MORE: Complete Tokyo Auto Salon Coverage
While just a concept, Toyota is believed to be planning a new range of turbocharged engines for its conventional street cars (like the Yaris and Corolla), though they’re likely to focus more on fuel economy than performance.
In addition to the Vitz Turbo Concept, GRMN also displayed a “G Sports” version of the Aqua (sold as the Prius c) in America, with style updates and suspension changes but no upgrades to the 100 hp hybrid engine.
GALLERY: GRMN Vitz Turbo Concept
GALLERY: GRMN Aqua G Sports Concept
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With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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