Toyota Australia is adding a new GR Sport variant to its compact Yaris Cross SUV range, offering customers a raft of dynamic and visual upgrades priced from $35,840 plus on-road costs.
Based on the Yaris Cross GXL 2WD hybrid, the GR Sport introduces styling touches inspired by the Toyota Gazoo Racing stable, which includes the GR86, GR Yaris and GR Supra.
Toyota Australia sales, marketing and franchise operations vice president Sean Hanley says the Yaris Cross GR Sport embodies Toyota’s desire to launch exciting, driver-focused products in the market.
“It has been a big year for the GR brand with the launch of the all-new GR86 and manual GR Supra, and that momentum will continue in 2023 with the GR Corolla,” Hanley says.
“Vehicles such as the Yaris Cross GR Sport offer customers a sporty aesthetic and a more dynamic focus on driving characteristics reaffirming Toyota’s commitment to delivering cars that are as exciting to drive as they look,” he says.
The Yaris Cross GR Sport is identifiable as a part of the GR family thanks to its newly designed black grille with the distinctive ‘G’ mesh pattern found on other GR sports cars.
The same mesh pattern is applied to the rear bumper, and there is a rear diffuser featuring four vertically oriented aerodynamic fins.
The 18-inch alloy wheels with a twin-five-spoke design and bright machined finish differentiate the GR Sport from the rest of the Yaris Cross range, housing red brake callipers complete with GR logos on the front brakes.
Black mirror caps and GR badging front and rear complete the set of visual exterior changes.
Inside, the GR Sport is identified by seats featuring synthetic leather on the bolsters and perforated black suede-like upholstery in the centre, with contrast light grey stitching on the seats and steering wheel. The front seats have also been redesigned for a more dynamic look and greater support.
GR logos adorn the headrests, steering wheel and smart keys, while aluminium pedals provide a race-inspired look.
Ornamental gun metal trim highlights are applied to the shift knob, instrument panel moulding and inner door trim, while suede-like material is also applied to the door trim inserts.
Toyota says convenience is improved with the addition of an extra USB-C port in the dash, while occupants are treated to clean air with the addition of the Nanoe X air ionisation technology which helps to inhibit unwanted pollutants and viruses from the cabin.
The changes to the Yaris Cross GR Sport are more than just visual however, with retuned suspension that improves handling and sharpens the steering response and feel.
For the front suspension, engineers enhanced the spring constant and rigidity of the lower control arm, while an exclusive bound stopper has been added for the first time to control body roll and improve ride comfort.
At the rear, a grooved washer bolt evens out surface pressure for the suspension fastening bolt and improves rigidity at the joint for greater steering response.
Sitting on the Yaris Cross’ TNGA-B platform, the GR Sport’s suspension has been lowered by 10mm to further aid handling.
Additional chassis improvements include the adoption of an underfloor brace and a second brace running along the lower rear of the vehicle connecting the cross members, further stiffening the TNGA-B underpinnings.
The Yaris Cross GR Sport is powered by a 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain pairing a 67kW/120Nm three-cylinder petrol engine with a pair of motor generators on the front axle to produce a combined system output of 85kW.
Combined fuel consumption stands at 3.8l/100km on the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 86g/km.
The GR Sport builds on the specification of the GXL 2WD Hybrid, which offers LED headlights, leather-accented steering wheel, 7.0-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, panoramic view monitor, Toyota Connected Services and a suite of Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance technologies.
A total of five exterior colours are available on the GR Sport, consisting of Frosted White, Stunning Silver, Ink, Atomic Rush and Lunar Blue, with Frosted White and Atomic Rush available with a black two-tone roof that also includes a silver Yaris Cross nameplate on the rocker moulding.
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