Toyota has added a sporty GR Sport model as part of the vehicle’s mid-life refresh after it first entered the market 2016.
From the outside, the GR Sport (for Gazoo Racing Sport) has the sport brand’s dark treatment, including blacked out headlamps and a black emblem. There is piano black finish to the centre bumper and fog lamp surroundings, a dark chrome grille and a more aggressive front spoiler.
Other exterior changes include piano black door moulding inserts and larger 19” alloy wheels. The black colour theme runs through to the back with a black emblem background, piano black reflector surroundings, a bespoke under-bumper trim garnish and to round things off, the GR SPORT logo.
The GR Sport is available in nine bi-tone colour schemes, including a new, model-unique Dynamic Grey finish with a black roof.
Open the door and this model features a new cool silver cabin finish and a choice of alcantara-trimmed leather or all-fabric seat upholstery, both enhanced by a GR-inspired Red and Grey stitching theme.
Further bespoke elements include a perforated leather steering wheel rim, red stitching accents to both the wheel rim and the gear lever, model unique scuff plates, the GR Sport logo, a GR stop/start button and a GR start-up animation in the driver's instrument binnacle TFT screen.
The GR Sport boasts privacy glass, smart entry, LED high beam headlamps and auto-fold door mirrors, whilst the main options list includes power operation and heating to the front seats and an JBL audio system.
What the eye cannot see but you can feel it once you open the taps on the road, is a sportier reaction in terms of handling. This is the result of the model-bespoke tyres and suspension system and steering that have been designed to perceptibly improve the GR Sport’s dynamic behaviour whilst retaining the ride comfort levels of the rest of the C-HR model range.
Toyota says the new 19" Continental Premium Contact 6 (225/45) increases front axle grip levels and cornering stiffness, resulting in improved yaw resistance and less understeer when subjected to the same G-force. The new tyre is lighter than the current 18" fitting yet offers the same rolling resistance and similar vehicle CO2 emissions.
Toyota South Africa is still mum about the introduction of the C-HR GR Sport onto the local market.
Korean automaker Hyundai has been an unmitigated success in the SA new car space. The relative newcomer to the market has been a consistent top-five feature on the new-car sales charts. There are many reasons for this, including good, reliable products at competitive prices. In part, the success is also driven by innovation.
South Africa's automotive sector is set for a significant transformation as Chinese and Indian vehicle manufacturers prepare to shift from basic assembly operations to full-scale local production.
Lightstone Auto has rolled out a cutting-edge integration designed to transform how alternative lenders, rent-to-own providers and niche finance firms engage with dealerships.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve more and live richer lives.
Daniel Pink
Nissan Egypt is redefining sustainable mobility in Africa with the introduction of its third-generation e-Power technology used on the Nissan Qashqai and the opportunity to test drive the iconic new Patrol for the first time in Africa.
Nissan’s new Navara bakkie has been unveiled in Australia, and not in the cards for South Africa.
Following the introduction of the C5 Luxury X and Elegance X trims earlier this year, OMODA & JAECOO South Africa are now enhancing the Style and Street derivatives with a series of upgrades.
