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Toyota Australia has officially released the first GR Sport model from its emerging GR (Gazoo Racing) performance sub-brand, with the C-HR small SUV’s new variant now in showrooms.
Priced from $37,665 plus on-road costs, the GR Sport (hybrid only) sits alongside the other flagship C-HR grade, the Koba (petrol and hybrid), and above the entry-level GXL (petrol only).
Given it costs the same as its Koba equivalent, the GR Sport therefore represents a choice between something sportier and something more luxurious.
That said, the GR Sport gets the same MacPherson-strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension as the wider C-HR range, but it’s been lowered by 15mm and stiffened (shock absorber damping force, coil-spring rates and stabiliser bars).
Also unique to the GR Sport is retuned electric power steering (centre brace) and a more aggressive front fascia, which consists of bespoke versions of the C-HR’s bumper, grille and LED headlights.
The GR Sport further stands out with a set of dark-chrome 19-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 Yokohama Advan Fleva tyres, and ‘GR Sport’ badging on all four sides.
Inside, the GR Sport picks up black leather/suede upholstery with white accents and stitching, front sports seats with ‘GR’ badging, a sportier gear selector and aluminium pedals.
Notably, the Japanese version of the GR Sport is fitted with a sports steering wheel with a ‘GR’ logo, another of which appears on its tachometer. According to a Toyota spokesperson, both weren’t available from the factory for the Australian variant.
The kit in the GR Sport that’s already been mentioned comes on top of what the GXL offers, which includes dusk-sensing lights, LED daytime running lights and foglights, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side mirrors with heating, and a space-saver spare wheel.
An 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, satellite navigation with live traffic, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, Bluetooth connectivity, a six-speaker sound system, a 4.2-inch multifunction display, keyless entry and start (a new inclusion for MY21), dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror also feature.
For reference, the Koba separates itself with 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, heated front seats and leather-accented upholstery.
Advanced driver-assist systems in the GR Sport extend to all-speed adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert (an active version is now available in the Koba), high-beam assist, a reversing camera (the Koba gets surround-view cameras), front and rear parking sensors, and hill-start assist.
Of note, the C-HR’s suite recently expanded to include an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system that has intersection assist and detects cyclists (day) in addition to pedestrians and other vehicles (day and night).
Meanwhile, steering and emergency assist joined lane departure warning and lane-keep assist as part of the C-HR’s lane support system (LSS) package.
Eight paintwork options are available for the GR Sport, three of which are two-tone colourways: Crystal Pearl, Hornet Yellow or Feverish Red with a black roof.
Matching its Koba equivalent, the GR Sport’s ‘self-charging’ hybrid powertrain combines a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine (running on the Atkinson cycle) with two electric motors for a combined power output of 90kW.
This set-up drives the Subaru XV Hybrid rival’s front wheels via an electronic continuously variable automatic transmission (e-CVT) with seven simulated steps. All-wheel drive is not an option.
As with all Toyota Australia models, the C-HR comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, although up to 10 years of coverage is available for the GR Sport’s battery.
Service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first), costing just $200 for each of the first four visits as part of a capped-price servicing plan, for a total of $800 for the first 48 months or 60,000km of ownership.
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