Introducing Copen GR Sport - Toyota's latest entry level sports car

MANILA: Toyota just launched Copen GR Sport ahead of the rumored Toyota Yaris and other up-and-coming cars at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. It's the first sports vehicle in the "GR Sports" line developed by Toyota GAZOO Racing. And it looks nothing like a sportscar.

Copen GR Sport raised a few eyebrows when it was unveiled on Tuesday. Who would've guessed that this mini convertible is actually a trailblazer?

However, this isn't the minicar’s first rodeo. The two-seat top-down vehicle first appeared early this year at the Tokyo Auto Salon, although it wasn't Toyota that launched it. The original model was under Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd., which happens to be an affiliate of Toyota Motor Corporation.

With these in mind, it's no coincidence that Toyota is releasing a sportscar by the same name. The Japanese automaker decided to turn it into a sports vehicle with Daihatsu's help. Toyota Copen GR Sport is still made by Daihatsu. But it gets sports upgrades from Toyota's motorsports division, GAZOO Racing.

The result: A "kei" minicar that rides just as hard as any sports utility vehicle. In case you're wondering, kei cars are a subgroup of small passenger vehicles in Japan.

Toyota focused most of its development on improving body rigidity and suspension. They added a front brace, reshaped the center brace, and added a dedicated shock absorber for a smoother drive. The electric power steering was also tuned exclusively for the Copen GR Sport for more accurate driving.

Sports performance was likewise taken into consideration while it was being redesigned. Unlike the original Daihatsu, Toyota's sportscar gets a larger and lower grill. These help keep the engine cool, maintain a low center of gravity, and improve overall performance.

For better aerodynamics, the Japanese automaker made several adjustments. An air outlet and under-spoiler was installed on the front bumper. The tires were also replaced with BBS wheels – a high-performance wheel design from German company, BBS Automotive Technology AG.

Toyota Copen GR Sport will sooon be available through Toyota dealers in Japan. Price starts at 2.380M Yen or roughly 1.131M Php for the CVT variant. But if you get the 5-speed manual variant, it'll cost you 2.435M Yen or about 1.157M Php.

Also Read: Check out 2020 Toyota Yaris leaked photos