Singaporean Toyota GR Yaris in full TOM’s kit up in Penang!
Toyota’s GR Yaris has been doing quite well in the markets that support it. From both official and grey import sectors, its been a hard-hitter, on both the public road and on track.
There is plenty of go as a stock example, and masses of creativity available for owners to modify, with both a tunable powerplant and dress-up parts plenty and varying. What the car revolves around is an old-school way of ownership in a new product.
Up in Penang last year was this unit, 700 kilometres away from Singapore. For a quick overview in magazine format, refer to this fictional magazine writeup.
Going by the plateholder, this GR Yaris is one of the official units imported by Borneo Motors. It could be the initial batch of 22 when it was first sold.
This car has gone through significant modifications past leaving the factory, culminating into a full TOM’s build including all of the company’s exterior add-ons (except for the brake discs it seems). Doesn’t look like a cosmetics-only build – the upgraded AIRTEC intercooler is a distinctive add-on to the front.
Roadtripping is more commonly done up to Kuala Lumper (KL), as more events (more of everything in general) happens there and driving up to Penang is another 300 kilometres after KL, so most private parties opt to skip. Some manufacturers have hosted drives up to Penang or further up to Thailand for years, but roadtripping a press car and your own car.. is varied levels of stress.
Some incentives I can think of to drive up is the older way of living there, good mountain roads, good scenery, good food, good car culture.. surely many of these can already be fulfilled by KL and other states.
This was the second Singaporean enthusiast spotted over the course of my time in December. I couldn’t find the owner’s socials, but if it happens to be your car, hello! Hope your trip was well, and I hope these photos can serve as a nice memorabilia.
~Efini
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Read more: Penang: Venturing Singaporean Volkswagen Beetle
