Following another year leading the charts, Toyota South Africa took to its SOMI event to outline the vehicles the local market can expect in the next 12 months.
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The State of the Motor Industry (SOMI) serves as Toyota South Africa Motor’s premier event for data sharing from the previous year and a peek into what it has planned in the near future. Bundled with the Corolla Cross launch in Johannesburg attended by Digital Editor Alex Shahini, the Japanese automaker gave us a preview of four models making their way to our shores. None of them are box-fresh but each update seeks to consolidate the respective moniker’s appeal in the ever-evolving new car market.
As mentioned, a key highlight was the refreshed Corolla Cross, showcasing an updated design and enhanced interior features. Toyota also introduced the Hilux Legend 55, commemorating 55 years of the Hilux legacy. Other significant reveals included the Fortuner GR-S, an upgraded GR Yaris with a more powerful engine.
The Corolla Cross has undergone a mid-cycle refresh, featuring a redesigned front with a new grille and LED headlights. The interior now includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an upgraded infotainment system in the XR grade, reinforcing its position as a leader in its segment. Now steeped in over half a century of heritage, the Legend 55 commemorates 55 years of the Hilux and is endowed with a GR-S reminiscent widebody kit, wide tread suspension, a styling kit, a roller shutter, a bash plate for off-roading, a tow bar, and a revised sports bar. This limited edition is slated for launch in July 2025 and as of yet, no powertrain figures have been shared.
The Fortuner GR-S not only represents the cover star for the February issue of CAR Magazine but also a performance-oriented iteration of the popular SUV, featuring a 2.8-litre diesel engine with 165 kW and 550 N.m of torque. It utilizes a six-speed automatic transmission and incorporates 48V mild-hybrid technology, enhancing efficiency with a power increase of 15 kW and 50 N.m. Distinctive design elements include a bespoke front bumper, black side mirrors, colour-coded door handles, and model-specific black 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with 265/60 R18 tyres. The Fortuner GR-Sport will be fully launched in March 2025, maintaining much of its ladder-frame architecture while introducing monotube dampers for improved ride and handling.
Related: Updated Toyota GR Yaris: SA Launch Date Confirmed!
SUVs and bakkies aside, Toyota kicked off the unveiling ceremony at SOMI with something for the petrolheads; the GR Yaris. The two-door hot hatch serves as a key part of Toyota’s hot hatch lineup, and has received substantial updates. Its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine features lightweight pistons, enhanced direct injection pressure, and optimized mapping, resulting in outputs of 210 kW and 400 N.m from the inline triple.
Related: POLL: Which Locally Available Hot Hatch Reigns Supreme?
The new single-clutch Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) replaces the manual gearbox, and the vehicle now includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and a limited-slip differential for superior handling. To clarify, no more manual iterations of this will be directly available as new vehicles once this updated model is expected to hit dealership floors in March 2025.
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