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While Toyota has no current plans to develop a performance version of its latest generation Yaris (marketed in Japan as the Vitz), the automaker's tuning and motorsports partner Gazoo Racing introduced an interesting concept model at this past weekend's Tokyo Auto Salon 2012. The Vitz Turbo Concept is based on the three-door Yaris and comes with a raft of performance upgrades that may become available to the public in the very near future.
The highlight of the tune is of course the modified 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that gains a turbocharger to deliver an output of 180PS (178bhp) and a peak torque of 220Nm (162.3 lb-ft). Power continues to be transferred to the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.
To improve handling, Gazoo Racing added a new lowered sports suspension and a high-performance braking system while the supermini now rides on 18-inch wheels shod in low profile tires.
On the outside, the Vitz Turbo Concept sports Gazoo Racing's signature colors along with a new wide body kit that includes a new front grille that extends to the lower part of the redesigned front bumper, a front lip spoiler, widened front and rear fenders, side skirts, a roof spoiler and a new rear bumper with a diffuser.
The darkened HID headlamps and tail lamps complete the look.
As for the interior, the Japanese tuner says it added new sports seats up front along with a different steering wheel while it also modified the instrument panel and changed the trim.
