Following the launch of the fourth generation Toyota Vios AC100 in the country, it was only a matter of time before the race car version would follow as the star of the Toyota Gazoo Malaysia Racing Festival and that’s happening in Season 7 next year.

Nonetheless, fans got a tease of the sleek new car in action as the celebrity drivers in the Promotional Class ended the final round of the recently concluded Season 6 in the new machinery. All drivers will be switching to the new car for Season 7.

However, while the celebrities had to race this with the standard CVT transmission, racers in the other categories will have their race cars converted to a 5-speed manual for the new season. Toyota were kind enough to give the celebrities carbon fibre paddle shifters though, because you know… race car.

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Interestingly, the celebrities in the Promotional Class will continue to race with the CVT gearbox next season as well.

The new Vios race cars are based on the production model from the UMW Toyota factory in Bukit Raja, Shah Alam.

Under the hood is the same 2NR-VE 1.5-litre four-cylinder Dual VVTi engine still keeps the standard internals, good for 106 PS and 138 Nm of torque. There is a racing exhaust set added all the way from the manifold to the back.

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As for the 5-speed manual transmission, it will have a racing clutch and limited slip differential for improved front end grip during cornering. The gearbox itself is likely from the Toyota Avanza 1.5G that’s sold in Indonesia as it uses the same engine as the Vios and is available as a manual.

While the new engine actually produced a little less power, Toyota claims that this new car is actually faster due to the new frame. That frame is the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform and it reduces weight but is still more rigid and has a wider wheel track for stability and better aerodynamic traits.

Also Read: "It's better to drive a slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car slow." How the Toyota Vios Challenge continues to prove the relevance of this.

Of course, the rest of the car has been fitted with the prerequisites of a race car such as adjustable suspension, a front strut bar and racing brake pads, though the calipers are standard.

The Promotional Class cars are based on the Vios G, meaning the rear also has disc brakes and retains the electric parking brake but the press release states that the cars in other categories will be based on the Vios E, so you might still find drum brakes in the rear.

Covering those brakes are a set of Enkei SC58 15-inch wheels. They measure 7jj wide and will continue to be fitted with Toyo Proxes TR1 tyres in a 195/55R15 fitment.

Safety is of the highest order, with a 6-point roll cage, full bucket seats with a 6-point racing safety harness, a 350mm racing steering wheel, an electrical circuit breaker and a fire extinguisher. There’s also a digital recording system. All enhancements to the car have been cleared with FIA approval.

Anyone can join the Vios Challenge and Toyota is looking for new drivers or teams to join Season 7. If you’re keen, the racing car can be purchased at a special incentive price.

To find out more, you can contact the UMW Toyota race management unit at 016-3673300.