Toyota Vitz TRD turbo M - Your mum's shopping car on roids

[swampy442]

In a nod to Cheddar's Blade Master post, I picked this up last weekend, bit of investment, bit of fun. And although I'm trying to fight the urge to, I may well send it round Cadwell next year

I'm a big guy (6ft 5) and normally buy big cars, but this just tickles me. AndI fit in it, which is a huge bonus lol.

So, what is it? Basically a fancy Yaris, Japanese market car breathed on by TRD, Toyota's tuning arm. It's got a TRD mapped ECU, TRD turbo kit, TRD intercooler, and TRD shocks and springs all round. I think it's got brake upgrades too because its got fancy looking teal green pads (maybe Project Mu?) and the brakes are very wooden. Fresh import, arrived here in September.
40k miles, 11 years old, just look at the underside, it's like a brand new car! I love imports.
Largely standard, well as standard as a turbocharged Yaris can be only mods are a big exhaust back box, and what looks like an Apexi throttle control thingy, to sharpen up the dwb throttle.

















One of these in the headlight, I'm glad its not out!

Edited by swampy442 on Saturday 21st December 15:33

[swampy442]

Just look at this, bear in mind its an 11 year old car with 40k on it. The rest of the world should follow Japan's snow clearing techniques

[tvrfan007]

Love the unusual jap creations. Looks brand new underneath, crazy.

[5harp3y]

So clean and so cool

[d_a_n1979]

Belting little kart that

My Jap import 530i touring is 17 years old, 90k miles & looks brand new underneath too... They do know wha5 they’re doing the Japs

[samoht]

Wow, never knew there was a factory turbo Vitz! Awesome stuff.

How does it drive - torque steer? Traction issues? Imagine it's fun, can't weigh much either.

[Shadow R1]

Looks great.

People might be interested in the buying process for it, did you order that car specifically or just spotted an ad for it ?

[Cambs_Stuart]

Absolutely fantastic car. I love these bonkers JDM variants.
I'd love to know how how it drives.

[neil-1323bolts]

Hi , very nice car , more information please engine size ? Obviously turbocharged. Rough bhp ? How’s it drive ? Looks amazing condition for 11 years old

[TommoAE86]

Epic car, love all things from Japan and having imported two cars I wish I’d done it sooner. That looks great, bet it will surprise a lot of people. Let us know how it is in the twisties

[Mercury00]

Great cars. I had the 1.3 SR and then the 1.8 SR, the former was a much better car. I always felt the 1.8 engine was too heavy for the car. Shame we didn't get the turbo.

[V6todayEVmanana]

Very cool, big power in little packages is great.

Reminds me of when I pulled up to an Audi estate with a child seat in the back, I accelerated hard when the lights went green and it shot off, I had to check what gear I was in, turned out it was an RS6.

How did you go about finding it? I tried looking for a Auris Blade after the other guys readers thread but no joy.

Your Yaris seems to have a few extras like a heated windscreen and start button which o didn't expect for that vintage.

[CornedBeef]

I love learning about these JDM creations that I never knew about! Cool car, I wish any of my stuff was that clean underneath

[mattyc69]

Consider myself a bit of JDM man but never knew this existed!

Looks and absolute hoot, I am a little jealous!!

My mate had a prelude import 15 years ago or so with some hideous roach dead in the rear light cluster! Must be a common thing!

Look forward to more updates.

[swampy442]

Merry Christmas, hope you all had good days so, replies -

[swampy442]

samoht said:

Wow, never knew there was a factory turbo Vitz! Awesome stuff.

How does it drive - torque steer? Traction issues? Imagine it's fun, can't weigh much either.

Neither did I! I knew you can get ff the shelf kits but not a factory built car. Drives like a Yaris really, its firm but not hard, understeers on the power (but it was a bit wet) plenty of traction, Ive got a feeling its got a demon snap oversteer off throttle lol. It weighs just over a ton (1060kgs I think)

[swampy442]

Shadow R1 said:

Looks great.

People might be interested in the buying process for it, did you order that car specifically or just spotted an ad for it ?

I saw it on Facebook, a mate of mine imports cars and had already landed, in his yard, once I'd seen it I knew I had to have it.

[swampy442]

neil-1323bolts said:

Hi , very nice car , more information please engine size ? Obviously turbocharged. Rough bhp ? How’s it drive ? Looks amazing condition for 11 years old

Engine is the factory 1.5 VVT 4 cylinder engine, theres no official figures but if you said about 160hp you'd be about right. It's really clean isn't it?

[swampy442]

V6todayEVmanana said:

Very cool, big power in little packages is great.

Reminds me of when I pulled up to an Audi estate with a child seat in the back, I accelerated hard when the lights went green and it shot off, I had to check what gear I was in, turned out it was an RS6.

How did you go about finding it? I tried looking for a Auris Blade after the other guys readers thread but no joy.

Your Yaris seems to have a few extras like a heated windscreen and start button which o didn't expect for that vintage.

Its a Vitz thats why the extra's you mentioned the heated screen, I never even noticed that button! Ill have to see what it does but I dont think its a heated screen. I just saw it on Facebook for sale.
My mate imported it so I can put you in touch if youre interested

[quigonjay]

Heated screen button on thngs like these (especially Toyotas) just usually means the lower part where the wiper blades rest so they do not stick to the screen. I believe they usually come as part of what is called the Cold District Specification option.