2023 Toyota Aqua GR Sport Revealed With Sporty Visible Bits, {Hardware} Tweaks

These of you from exterior Japan are most likely questioning – what the heck is the Toyota Aqua? The primary-generation mannequin launched in 2011 was bought as a rebadged Prius c exterior of its home market. Its substitute was unveiled final yr as a small hatchback driving on the identical platform because the Yaris. It is barely longer than the supermini, and for 2023, it is getting the GR Sport remedy. 

Thoughts you, the previous-gen Aqua was additionally tweaked by Gazoo Racing again in 2017. Being an entry-level GR Sport trim degree fairly than the midrange GR or the flagship GRMN, the subcompact hatchback is all present with none further go. That mentioned, there are some {hardware} modifications as the electrical energy steering has been modified to sharpen up dealing with. As well as, the entrance and rear suspensions have been stiffened, however the latter retains the fundamental torsion beam setup fairly than switching to a multi-link structure.

Gazoo Racing’s engineers added further bracing underneath the ground and bolstered the rear bumper for higher stability whereas cornering at greater speeds. The Energy+ mode supplies a extra direct steering response than earlier than to make the Aqua really feel agile although there is not any ridiculously highly effective turbo three-pot engine underneath the hood.

The marginally extra aggressive physique is mixed with unique 17-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza 205/45 R17 tires. Inside, the GR-branded entrance seats profit from further lateral assist and are lined in artificial leather-based mixed with a kind of material solely provided on the GR Sport. Aluminum pedals, a three-spoke steering wheel, and darkish accents spherical off the modifications.

The Aqua GR Sport will be had solely with front-wheel drive however different trim ranges can be found with AWD. Motivation is offered by a three-cylinder 1.5-liter gasoline engine good for a mighty 91 horsepower (67 kilowatts) at 5,500 rpm and 120 Newton-meters (89 pound-feet) of torque at 3,800 rpm. It is protected to say you will not be taken down any lap information round Suzuka.

It is the sixth member of the GR Sport lineup in Japan the place the Aqua joins the Copen, Yaris, C-HR, Hilux, and the Land Cruiser. The worldwide household is even larger bearing in mind Toyota additionally sells the RAV4 and Corolla Cross in GR Sport taste. There’s even a Fortuner GR Sport serving as a body-on-frame SUV with rear-wheel drive.

Obtainable solely in Japan, the Toyota Aqua GR Sport retails from 2,595,000 yen (about $18,800 at present alternate charges).