Rumours surrounding the Toyota Vios GR Sport Hybrid are gaining traction, with new reports suggesting that the long-awaited sportier Vios may return, this time with hybrid power.
According to a report by Thailand’s Car New Update, the upcoming Toyota Vios Hybrid, which is sold in the Kingdom as the Yaris Ativ with a smaller 1.2-litre engine, would be offered as a Premium and GR Sport variant – the latter is a long-overdue variant.
Toyota Vios GR Sport Hybrid: What powertrain could it get?
Power for the soon-to-launch Toyota Vios GR Sport Hybrid will likely come from the Yaris Cross, featuring a petrol-electric hybrid, combining naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre 2NR-VEX engine and an electric motor, allowing for a combined system output of 111 PS. Said engine is mated to an E-CVT that sends drive to the front wheels.
Due to its more aerodynamic body style compared to the Yaris Cross, Thai media outlets speculate that the forthcoming Vios Hybrid would likely beat the Yaris Cross’ fuel consumption figure of 26.3 km/L.
Car New Update’s post also mentioned that the Thai-spec Toyota Vios GR Sport Hybrid could debut in the Kingdom as soon as end-July, which isn’t too far off from our initial report, which mentioned an August debut.
Read also: 2025 Toyota Vios Hybrid launching in August for Thailand – what about Malaysia?
As a brief recap, the Vios GR Sport debuted in Malaysia back in December 2020, featuring bespoke GR-inspired looks, coupled with a reprogrammed transmission with 10 virtual ratios, retuned suspension, and larger 17-inch alloy wheels.
Watch: Toyota Vios GR-S Review /// 10 Speed Automatic ? 最強 B-Segment ?
However, upon the launch of the current AC100-generation Toyota Vios, the GR Sport variant was no where to be found, even after more than two years the model made its debut here.
Couple that with the fact that UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) does not have an answer to the Honda City e:HEV and with the fuel subsidy rationalisation set to take place soon, a hybrid Vios might just be what UMWT needs.
Photo credit: Toyota GR Vios render by Theottle