Toyota Vitz RS Turbo | Spotted
GR whetted the appetite for a fast Yaris? Try the original!
Has the Toyota GR Yaris already earned the title of 2020's most exciting car, just two weeks in? It's got to be in contention, combining WRC attitude with loads of power, not much weight and some clever chassis technology. It's especially notable for being a Yaris, too; Toyota may have committed to more performance cars than many manufacturers recently but, despite the rally link, it's a surprise to see such a serious Yaris in the pipeline.
All other hot hatch offshoots from the model in its two decades on sale have been pretty tame. In the UK we've had various SR and T Sports over the years, but nothing that's really captured the imagination of pocket rocket buyers in the vein of cars like the Suzuki Swift Sport and Fiat Panda 100HP.
There have been exciting Yarises, though - they've just been confined to Toyota's homeland. Consider the Vitz RS Turbo. The Vitz was the Yaris's name in Japan, RS was the equivalent of a T Sport and then, for just two model years, the RS was the turbocharged flagship. It came with 150hp - more than enough in a car that weighs less than a tonne - as well as a limited-slip diff and, in certain specs, Bilstein suspension as well. Accompanied by various TRD bits inside and out, plus a jazzy bodykit, it had all the ingredients of a proper fast Yaris. Only one we never got to experience.
Now though, thanks to the tombola-like turnover of the PH classifieds, there's a pristine Vitz RS Turbo for sale, in Bedfordshire of all places. It's interesting, too, as there are one or two commonalities between this car and the latest GR: there's just 100cc or so between engine sizes, they're both light for their class and both have limited-slip diffs on the front - admittedly the GR's is optional, and supported by a rear one. Not exactly blood brothers, sure, but worth a mention.
The RS Turbo in question looks lovely; recently imported from Japan, it's showing just 60,000 miles and is super clean inside and out - even the bespoke floor mats have survived 15 years largely unscathed. Despite only being imported in October, it's already had an oil and filter change, new plugs, four fresh Michelins and 12 month's MOT put on it.
Sure, six thousand pounds most certainly buys all sorts of very good hot hatch - see this Clio 200 Cup, for example - and the money might seem like lunacy to many for a Yaris from the mid-2000s. But it's a really interesting curio for those willing to consider a left-field option, and an affordable route into JDM ownership. Keep the Vitz protected against rust, prepare your best few sentences for explaining what it is and enjoy - thanks to the GR, it's okay to like a fast Yaris now!
SPECIFICATION - TOYOTA VITZ RS TURBO
Engine: 1,497cc, four-cyl turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 150@6,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 145@4,400rpm
MPG: 35ish
CO2: 164g/km
First registered: 2004
Recorded mileage: 60,000
Price new: £N/A
Yours for: £5,995
Someone shopping for a 2 grand Clio probably isn't also in the market for a one of these so there's certainly something to be said for it already being here and available to view before pulling the trigger.
Someone shopping for a 2 grand Clio probably isn't also in the market for a one of these so there's certainly something to be said for it already being here and available to view before pulling the trigger.
You would have to *really* want one of these for £6k, that said it looks a very tidy example and they are reliable little things... 150 bhp in 1050kg is always going to be a hoot.
The only down side is the rubbish turning circle!
A set of 5mm spacers on the back and some wider wheels will reduce it, you can run up to 8" wide wheels on these with no trouble.
The price is steep due to how rare this is here in the UK. It's basically a modern Glanza V but they aren't as tuneable that's for sure. If these were sold in the UK then they'd have sold a fair amount as they are really sort after in the Yaris world but the prices are just ridiculous so many people just don't bother.
The blue is also a rare colour so that is anything reason why the price is high.
A 1.5 Turbo with around 150bhp and weighing around the same as this
You can get them pretty cheap plus also in convertible format
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mitsubishi/co...
When Tiff ran the Integrale and E30 M3 around Anglesey in an old 5th Gear episode, he mentioned they were both a bit slower than one of these which had been tested in an earlier episode
My issues with the CZT are it's too tall, interior isn't the best, the look isn't for me, seating position is rubbish as well. But if you don't mind that then they are a bargain.
My issues with the CZT are it's too tall, interior isn't the best, the look isn't for me, seating position is rubbish as well. But if you don't mind that then they are a bargain.
https://youtu.be/VVppN3R3uzI
Predictably out handled and out run by the old Fiesta ST but doesn’t seem too bad if you like something Jap
A set of 5mm spacers on the back and some wider wheels will reduce it, you can run up to 8" wide wheels on these with no trouble.
Realistically it’s a very niche product that will no doubt be a pain to get correct oem parts for. Big no from me
Toyota's UK dealer network is also extremely good for sourcing parts for their JDM cars, I've had allsorts brought into my local dealer from Japan for my 20 year old bB, most recently a new glovebox which was about 3 weeks for them to bring over from Japan.
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