Toyota Vios GR-S launched in Malaysia – “10-speed” CVT, sports suspension, 17-inch rims; from RM95k

Toyota Vios GR-S launched in Malaysia – “10-speed” CVT, sports suspension, 17-inch rims; from RM95k

Race on Sunday, sell on Monday, that’s the old adage. Toyota has been racing the Vios in a celebrity-powered nationwide one-make race for three seasons now (fourth one confirmed for 2021), but UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) did not have a sports version of the B-segment sedan in showrooms.

Until now. Say hello to the Toyota Vios GR-S, which gives most of us without the budget for a full Gazoo Racing product (should I sell the house for the GR Yaris?) a taste of GR, and some badges to go along with it, of course. Based on the latest facelifted 2021 Toyota Vios, the GR-S is a locally-engineered model and the first one to wear the GR Sport badge in our market.

“This is a very special model for several reasons: it was developed locally, it was inspired by the success of the Vios Challenge, and above all it had to meet with all the criteria of what the GR brand represents before becoming truly worthy of being bestowed with a GR badge,” said UMWT deputy chairman and Gazoo Racing Malaysia’s chief motorsport officer Akio Takeyama, who himself races in the Vios one-make series.

Toyota Vios GR-S launched in Malaysia – “10-speed” CVT, sports suspension, 17-inch rims; from RM95k

The Vios GR-S is more than just the usual bodykitted variant. The headlining feature is the “10-speed CVT” – Toyota has programmed the stepless automatic gearbox to have 10 virtual ratios in its manual mode. That’s three speeds more than the seven in the regular car. You can shift using the steering paddle shifters. Toyota says that the 10-speed configuration improves response by keeping the 1.5L NR Dual VVT-i engine (unchanged, 107 PS/140 Nm) in a higher RPM range.

There’s more. The GR Sport comes with sports-tuned suspension “for both increased handling and confidence in high speed as well as comfort”. It rides on 17-inch black multi-spoke wheels with 205/45 tyres, the largest ever fitted to a Vios from the factory. Previous sporty Vios variants that went beyond an aerokit included the 2017 Vios Sports Edition and the TRD Sportivo with optional sports suspension from the “Dugong” generation.

To match the sportier drive is a significantly more aggressive exterior. The Vios facelift has been given an aerokit that’s fronted by a bumper that’s “reminiscent of the GR Yaris” (mouth gets honeycomb mesh instead of horizontal slats), a rear bumper fitted with an integrated diffuser, a black boot spoiler, side skirts (with small “10-speed” logos) and black side mirrors/door handles. A GR boot badge, too.

Inside, the Vios GR-S comes with sports seats in a leather and suede combo, with red stitching. The front chairs also sport GR logos on the head rests. There’s also leather on the steering wheel and shift knob, and the GR logo is repeated on the floor carpets and push start button. Another sporty touch is the red Optitron meter panel with red needles (blue-white theme in the other variants), and GR animation on the 4.2-inch multi-info display. As for the rest of the kit list, the GR Sport follows the 1.5G.

We end with comments from GR ambassador and two-time Vios Challenge champion Tengku Djan Ley. “It is a shadow of the actual Vios Challenge race car. It’s a refined version of the race car. The Vios GR-S is not just about outright performance or purely handling, but more importantly, it is a car that is able to deliver great driving enjoyment and pleasure,” the Prince of Drift said.

“It’s a car with a lot of character, it’s a lot more engaging, and has better steering feedback. The availability of a 10-speed CVT transmission may sound too much, but for a 1.5 litre, it allows the car to be driven at the optimum power band and keeps it spirited throughout the RPM,” he added.

Available in Platinum White Pearl and Red Mica Metallic, the Toyota Vios GR-S is priced at RM95,294 on-the-road without insurance, without the sales and services tax (SST). It’s available exclusively at GR Garage outlets and Toyota dealers participating in the Vios Challenge. What do you think of this warmed-up Vios? Proceed to the regular version if it’s too much.

GALLERY: 2021 Toyota Vios GR-S

GALLERY: 2021 Toyota Vios GR-S official images

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • azrai on Dec 17, 2020 at 8:32 pm

    Hidden due to lowcomment rating. Click here to see.

    Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2264 Thumb down 4438
    • Jeghui on Dec 17, 2020 at 9:02 pm

      Buy new Proton X50 Flagship rm103k or Toyota Vios GR-S RM97.5k … Resale Value after 5yr, X50 rm70k and Vios rm50k

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 83
    • Eddie on Dec 17, 2020 at 9:03 pm

      This is perfect car. Not ah beng car

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 32 Thumb down 7
      • Hannah on Dec 17, 2020 at 9:41 pm

        Ah beng drive X50 now, got Tebo
        Yellow painted like bumble bee

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 24
      • Sport rims tho! Factory fitted 17-inch black multi-spoke rims, very pleasant design & its most welcome either in matte or gloss black! dare move btw hope others affordable B-segment competitors folllow this move on all their variants specially in the lowest spec

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 1
      • Amran on Dec 18, 2020 at 10:32 am

        OMG! This screams ahbeng so much it hurts! Come on… no sporty car sports a CVT no matter how many “virtual gears” it has.

        That 10-speed label? Very like my atuk’s old Honda with its 4-speed badge stick on the bootlid. So old fashioned.

        This car is suited for old fashioned atuk ahbengs.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 35
        • No more ikan Keli on Dec 18, 2020 at 10:54 am

          Aiyaaa bro. This is not ah beng anymore bro. Wake up and time to move on. You are actually talking about the past of dugong 13 vios. If you think you can’t change your mind, believe yourself and we spoke our truth

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 2
    • Brian on Dec 18, 2020 at 12:30 am

      With their middle income segment taken by X50 and X70, and their unker segment dried up by Covid, Toyota have only ah beng segment left and they are milking it for what’s its worth.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 17
    • Hwayi on Dec 18, 2020 at 2:48 pm

      Yeah, but gradually replaced by GR. Some countries wanted to remain as TRD. But to me, GR badge is also good choice to use

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
    • Multiple liking votes aka 1019 likes from only single person from honda fanboy here who actually spending more time trying to upvote?? So sad.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • alvin on Dec 17, 2020 at 8:35 pm

    Thats a steal!
    This is not the common, mass production cars.
    More handcraft of inserting those GR sports enhancements, from transmission, suspension, arms, dampers, tuning, to basic strut bars and mixed of arts and engineered designed bumpers.

    Let’s go Sepang for a Vios GR race

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 40
    • albagmane on Dec 17, 2020 at 9:25 pm

      If do grab & drive to office.
      Myvi is the gooder car. Save fuel & sparepart,

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 13
    • Funny, the paddle shifter is useless to go fast with 1.5 l engine, rather use it to save fuel

      The tyres are to thin for bolehland potholes rather for showing off only

      This is a hairdresser car

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 10
  • AhMan Sportivo on Dec 17, 2020 at 8:41 pm

    This is a game changer in the RACE car category
    High rpm dual vvti, 10speed CVT, 205R17, sports dampers and suspension yet magically comfortable, Semi-bucket Sofa, GR-fied.

    Previous entry level RACE car:

    1. Satria LotusR RM 115k.
    2. Renault Clio Cup RM 172k.

    Others are not considered with only higher performance enigne, but not track RACE ready.
    No pun intended if any is missed out to this definition of RACE.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 6
    • alvin on Dec 17, 2020 at 9:40 pm

      Sepang racer know how to upgrade thier cars
      All they need is good chasis, drivetrain to begin.

      Yea, this vios GR is a reasonable good start, with the robust NR engine.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 1
  • The Rock on Dec 17, 2020 at 8:50 pm

    Let’s rock

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 2
  • Really hope to see a review on this car. 1.5cc with all these “upgrade”; wondering how the drive will be.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Carazy on Dec 17, 2020 at 8:55 pm

    Now the Dugong has become a real fish..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 5
    • But nice

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 0
      • captain slow on Dec 17, 2020 at 10:19 pm

        But still seeelllooowwwwww

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 12
        • Watching YouTube already, Vios accelerates in 10.3 seconds till 100 km/h and top speed is 200 km/h. Tell me where you get your words slow?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
          • HalfM BMW on Dec 18, 2020 at 10:41 am

            that conservative figures by Toyota 10speed CVT, 10.3s
            Arnaldo faster than Hyundai Elantra 1.6Smartstream RM 158k which only has regular road suspension than track race ready.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
          • And with this 10 speed CVT for Vios GR, acceleration could go lower than 10 seconds and top speed is more than 200 km/h. Well, since I watched India Yaris Ativ (Vios) acceleration and top speed YouTube, as I said, it has proven that it accelerates from 0-100 in 10.3 seconds while top speed is 200 km/h based on 7 speed auto.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
          • @ HalfM BMW

            Not really, 10.3 seconds is mainly for 7 speed CVT. And yeah, I think you misunderstood that which I forgot to mentioned that 10.3 seconds is mainly for Yaris Ativ India YouTube that uses 7 speed auto.

            But 10 speed CVT, acceleration will be lower than 10 seconds. Both 7 speed and 10 speed auto will be 200 km/h

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • So sporty

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • Hmm….I like this car though. I feel wanna to try this

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Truth on Dec 17, 2020 at 9:00 pm

    good clean fun

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 0
  • Ah Seng on Dec 17, 2020 at 9:07 pm

    Ah beng wet dream….cvt as sport…..hahaha.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 17
  • Kitaro Suzuoka on Dec 17, 2020 at 9:16 pm

    Looks better than old one. More sportier than recent City. Nice job Toyota!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 60 Thumb down 2
    • 7yrsold on Dec 17, 2020 at 10:22 pm

      City is sporty and practical, vios all make over is just create noise nuisance on road only

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 22
      • Don’t trust this hater and other bashers here, UMW have doing more efforts in making sport cars for Vios and Yaris.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
      • Civic Turbo CVT on Dec 18, 2020 at 10:54 am

        City rs? That only a sticker badge to existing hybrids.
        No difference to earlier hybrid.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • It’s going to be fun when driving this

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Speedy on Dec 17, 2020 at 9:42 pm

    Hello GR Viossy. Welcome to Vios family

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • The Platters on Dec 17, 2020 at 9:48 pm

    Vios is the real king. Wow. Look like

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • GenY AEB on Dec 17, 2020 at 9:51 pm

    this is clean, I didn’t wanted a larger or turbo engine.
    This can be my good spirited daily drive, with Toyota Safety Sense too.

    The adds on make me feel comfortable with a sense of superior durability without breaking the banks. Especially the sport tyre 205/45R17, cheaper than typical SUV sport tyre.

    House already got 1 CX-5, my house porch can fit another Vios GR-sport.
    It looks like a good rival, best bang for money compared to Mazda3 1.5L NA and Elantra 1.6NA, which all also equipped with Torsion beam, Safety Sense.

    Frankly, I have faith in Vios comfort and handling since 2018 facelift. Now, with effort by the Gazoo Tacing Team’s tuning, strengthening, upgrading transmission, modding the rpm of NR engine, which likely required a separate craftsmanship team in the production plant- it was a heartbeat felt when I learnt the price is much less than expected.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
  • sistema on Dec 17, 2020 at 9:54 pm

    Built of exceed #Toyota Malaysia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • Dinkin on Dec 17, 2020 at 10:19 pm

    Cute car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Real men use 3 pedals on Dec 17, 2020 at 10:24 pm

    It should have a manual gearbox.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • William on Dec 17, 2020 at 10:48 pm

    Simply irresistible and better valued sport car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Jordana on Dec 17, 2020 at 11:06 pm

    Vios all the way

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Swindon on Dec 17, 2020 at 11:25 pm

    Reliability, more features and advanced safety system, better than before

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Sky High on Dec 17, 2020 at 11:30 pm

    Important is reliability that could run longer

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • combo meals on Dec 17, 2020 at 11:40 pm

    Stupid T should have add in hybrid variant to booast power to be in par with City RS. Not again giving Ah Beng dual vvti engine to customers again.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 18
    • city rs, racing confirm loose with tauhu suspensions, arms, and tiny self charging battery hybrid.
      But well, Youtuber should do a Sepang Race timing,

      Between Vios NR, Vios NR-GR and City RS

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • Dovlet on Dec 17, 2020 at 11:47 pm

    Designs for interior looks very gorgeous. Exterior looks really like it. I am love it

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • TopMark on Dec 18, 2020 at 12:14 am

    Really practical for this

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Anytime will buy this

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • This one car made the whole perception for GR brand collapse for me. GR is the same as TRD now. A family car slapped with bodykit. I get it that Malaysia favor family car more than a power hike but maybe it shouldn’t wear the GR badge in the first place?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • Civic Turbo CVT on Dec 18, 2020 at 10:53 am

      Different bruh,

      Vios GR, same naming like BMW M and Benz AMG.
      Naming at the front = flagship, e,g GR-yaris, M3, AMG A45, GR-supra
      Naming at the rear = strengthened for spirited drive, Like BMW 330i M, C300 AMG, Vios GR

      Vios GR , apparently its designed to meet basic RACE regulation
      With the enhancement of Drivetrain, but not modified, track ready suspension and struts,
      Full fledged sports mode, with 10speed cvt for higher rpm NR engine drive.

      Similar approach was done in Satria Lotus R, 145hp but track fun ready.
      Compared to Honda RS badge, that is more comparable to TRD Sportivo sticker label.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
  • kanazai2001 on Dec 18, 2020 at 8:39 am

    No MT…
    Still cvt…

    MT… 6sp is enough…
    cvt… 20sp also “useless”…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 13
  • Is UMW TOYOTA encouraging more ah Beng River speeding in Malaysia?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 6
  • Vanguard on Dec 18, 2020 at 8:56 am

    Toyota Vios sports version, Using CVT.
    Kidding right?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
  • Proton oh Proton on Dec 18, 2020 at 8:58 am

    affordable racing sprite.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • every thing look ok, except the side skirt with “10 speed” wording

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • AlmightySnackBar on Dec 18, 2020 at 9:28 am

    Ahahahahaha… Same engine with 10 CVT and all this “sports” tuning? Might as well fit all these onto a MYVI too.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • Haidi on Dec 18, 2020 at 10:13 am

    Handsome looking piece. Sick of all those so called “sports edition” cars that only changed the bumpers and spoiler. This has a proper sports taste. Love this move from Toyota.
    Although the engine is no different from the normal Vios and the CVT 10-speed program is it necessary? But I believe the handling performance of this Vios GR-S will be in a different world. At least a big upgrade from ordinary B-segment cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 0
  • Ms apam on Dec 18, 2020 at 11:45 am

    GR trim looks hot like apam balik. Can beat city RS in term of sales?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Is it really 1st time they are offering sport suspension? What happenes to the VIOS ncp151 where it is with livery n vios J version with adjustable suspension?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Normally I will kutuk Vios for putting pointless bodykit and accessories before they improve their safety kit in the car..
    But this round I guess they had fully loaded the safety aspect and also improve the “real sportiness” in suspension, tyres and gearbox. Not the previous “all shout no substance” pointless bodykit.
    Kudos Vios..

    Hoping for Corolla GR-sport like the one in Taiwan, but i guess it wont come to our shore.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  • very good

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Far better. Good

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • 10 speed shifter on Dec 19, 2020 at 7:52 am

    10 SPEEDD…..Wooooossss

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Eucalyptus on Dec 19, 2020 at 8:04 am

    Better look and fabulous

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Jameson on Dec 19, 2020 at 8:08 am

    This FL looks good

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Front looks more better at least. Android Auto and Apple Carplay also have this. Upgrading better gearbox. Keep it up

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Systane on Dec 19, 2020 at 8:29 am

    Several differences between this and previous facelift which is major

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • autodriver (Member) on Dec 19, 2020 at 10:03 pm

    It is good to offer paddle shifter but why make the CVT into 10 virtual speed. Driver is busy to flip the paddle shifter as the gear ratio gonna be very short. As the gearbox is made from Aisin the shift time gonna be very slow as Aisin always emphasise as smooth rather than quick. It is still the same CVT only programmed as 10 virtual speed, not a big wow factor as they can program up to 100 speed if they want.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • YarisGR on Dec 22, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    Bagi manual jer lah kalau nak sport…10 “virtual” speed konon…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • is it ridiculous that the race car has thicker profile tyres than the street car?

    Didn’t know that our public roads are smoother than race tracks.

    Some mentioned that the redline is higher. I don’t see it mentioned anywhere. And the rev meter also doesn’t suggest that.is this true?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Md nor on Jun 12, 2021 at 10:48 am

    I m interested in the vios grs
    Send me a sales personal

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Faizlagisekali on Oct 28, 2021 at 10:18 pm

    Just drove it kl-kemaman,smooth,power and fuel save by renting..this is a good car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mr. Bizantium on Jul 18, 2022 at 6:07 pm

    Many misguided people over here

    Nah men, GR Sport is NOT a GR.

    GR and GRMN cars (such as GR Yaris, GR Supra, GR86) are finely-tuned by Toyota GR (and Toyota GRMN is a limited-edition series)
    On the other hand, GR-sport means it’s just a “rice” bodykit instead of truly fine-tuned car by Toyota GR

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Liong on Jan 27, 2023 at 10:37 pm

    if this car got 6 speeds manual transmission then i will buy it. Because Manual always the best. Especially for SPORT!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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