THE Toyota Vios has to be one of Toyota's biggest selling models. All sorts of people drive them, from old aunties to the hip and cool trendy yuppies.
Even boy racer wannabes have modified them in one way or another.
Every car maker has at least one tuning house that specialises in upgrading cars above and beyond factory specs. BMW has the M-series, Mercedes-Benz has AMG, Nissan has Nismo.
Toyota, of course, has TRD or Toyota Racing Development and they have decided that they want to build a TRD Vios based on their latest model.
I was offered a test drive in two of their prototype models of the TRD Vios, a 1.5S auto and a 1.5J manual, which was the more extreme of the pair.
I'll deal with the latter first as I felt it was more interesting - but not necessarily better.
The TRD Vios 1.5J came with bright red TRD graphics on a white paint job. The stickers attracted all kinds of attention, good and bad. Every boy racer out there wanted to race me.
Patrolling cops would stare me down every time I drove past them, as though I was a four-wheel version of a Mat Rempit. This sticker job may not make it on the finalised version and paint jobs for the TRD Vios may come with more subdued, if not limited edition paint to differentiate it from the rest.
The TRD Vios 1.5J comes with a 5-speed manual transmission as well as TIEN suspension all round. TIEN is a famous brand of automotive accessories that are popular with the tuner crowd.
The TIEN suspension lowers the car by 45mm, which can be bone jarring at times.
Suffice to say that this performance oriented set up made the 1.5J version literally stuck like glue around corners and its handling capabilities became comparable to much more expensive cars.
It handles like it was on railroad tracks without ever throwing the back end out. But as a daily driver the TIEN suspension can be tiring at times with much of the road shock coming straight into the cabin.
A pair of Recaro-TRD racing buckets takes place of the regular comfy front seats and they also did not do much to absorb the road shock. These seats, by the way, are FIA approved racing seats designed for track racing and were way too small for my large frame, but apparently that's how they are meant to fit.
It needs to be tight enough so that your body doesn't get thrown around when taking high-speed corners.
Don't hold your breath hoping that the Recaros make it to the final version of the TRD Vios because these babies cost a lot and could make the final pricing way out of reach of the target market segment.
The 1.5S 4-speed automatic version is way more civilised, retaining the comfy front seats but adorning them in embroidered TRD logos. It's got the TRD Sportivo suspension, which is a mere 15mm lower than standard.
This is a far more workable formula as it retains some of the original comfort settings but also throws in improved handling.
I found this version to be more conducive to everyday driving around town as well as long distances.
The 1.5S TRD Vios also comes with all the range topping accessories of the regular "S" version Vios, like the dashboard integrated audio system, twin air bags, steering mounted audio controls, etc. while the "J" version is pretty much a bare bones Vios.
It had a two-tone kameleon custom paint job called "Rattlesnake Green" which changes from a deep maroon to a deep green, depending on the viewing angle.
Both auto and manual versions get a set of TRD alloy pedals.
They will also get full TRD body kits although the finalised versions have not been confirmed yet as the front spoiler may be a little too low, especially on the extra low 1.5J.
The engine compartments on both versions see TRD high pressure radiator caps, a TRD oil filler cap as well as TRD air filters.
The latter gives a tiny bit more grunt to the engine.
Apart from these minor additions, the engines remain standard.
The power plant is the same 1,497cc engine as the standard Vios, with a maximum output of 80kW or 109PS at 6,000rpm.
Maximum torque of 141Nm comes in at 4200 rpm. The TRD prototypes also get a set of 15-inch alloy rims from the standard "S" Vios.
Having driven both prototypes, strangely I like the "J" version more, what with the manual box, the FIA approved Recaros and the flashy sticker kit. Maybe there is a bit of boy racer in me.
I definitely would not want a "J" as daily driver but with additional engine and suspension tuning it would make a great track day car.
The "S" prototype will probably appeal more to the mass market and if Toyota can keep costs down will give Honda City a run for its money.
At the time of writing, no prices have been confirmed as Toyota is still contemplating the final packages. --The Star/Asia News Network
