Toyota Vitz RS TRD Turbo M | Spotted

The new GR Yaris is coming soon in the UK, promise. Seldom has a new car chimed with car folk like the GR, and that enthusiasm shows no signs of waning with the second generation. Even with the price rise, the funny new dash and the limited availability, the little Gazoo Racing hot hatch still really matters. Now, it’s even better, thanks to more power and chassis revisions. Or that’s what it seemed like overseas. 

In the meantime, it shouldn’t be underestimated the halo effect the Yaris has had. Alongside the 86 and Supra GR rangemates, it’s made Toyota a much cooler brand, and probably ensured that the back catalogue is looked on a little more fondly also. Surely cars like the previous Yaris GRMN are now given the recognition they deserve because of the newer car, and with the rally link the old (and often ignored) Celica GT-Four is being celebrated once more. 

For a very, very long time, however, a fast Yaris just wasn’t a thing. It was a first car and a final car, not something to covet during the time between. Various T Sports and SRs really weren’t anything of note, and even a promising-sounding Vitz RS in Japan was no more exciting. This, though, isn’t just a Vitz RS, as it’s a TRD Turbo M. TRD, or Toyota Racing Development, was once responsible for some fun road car projects as well as motorsport. Still is in the US, in fact, though over here it had limited reach – bravo to everyone who remembered the GT86 TRD limited edition. 

The most obvious change for the Vitz was the forced induction, of course, bringing power up to around 150hp. This car has a few intake mods (it’s a Japanese import car, it would be weird not to have them), though power probably hasn’t changed much from there. The exceptionally JDM badges will surely add 5hp. Turbo M spec also meant sports suspension, which lowered the Yaris by approximately 15mm and promised, according to the original 2008 press release, ‘an evolution to a new dimension of driving performance.’ And who are we to argue with that? Perhaps not quite the GR spec overhaul, though likely a fun little thing nonetheless at just 1,060kg.

This example has covered a little more than 70,000 miles, and actually featured in Toyota’s online magazine in 2022. You’d like to think that an owner committed enough to attend Toyota meets in the rain would take good care of a Vitz, and certainly the condition of the RS Turbo M looks very good indeed. It’s 16 years old now, don’t forget, so to see red this red, bolsters still holding up and wheels unmarked is encouraging. 

While the logical argument must be that £9k would buy newer, faster hot hatches, that’s not what you’re buying into here. The Vitz RS Turbo M is exceptionally rare, undoubtedly interesting, and – perhaps thanks to the GR – kinda cool as well now people love a fast Yaris. Certainly there won’t be another at whatever car meet you attend, which is one thing that can’t be said for the new one.

Engine: 1,497cc, four-cyl turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 150@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 145@4,800rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 72,000
Price new: 2,215,500 yen (in 2008; £11,600 at current exchange rates)
Yours for: £8,985