Back in April 2018, Toyota South Africa Motors added an Etios Sport variant to its local hatchback range, where it stayed for around a year before disappearing. But now the derivative has quietly returned to the line-up.

As before, the Etios Sport hatch slots in above the 1,5 Sprint variant. Now priced at R195 900, the limited-edition model commands a R6 000 premium over the hatch on which it is seemingly based.

So, what sets the two-tone Etios Sport apart? Well, it’s again offered in either Glacier White or Retro Red exterior paint, with the roof (and A-, B- and C-pillars) finished in black. The grille, meanwhile, is also painted black, as are the side-mirror caps, while a black spoiler has been affixed round back. A set of 15-inch alloy wheels (shared with the Etios Cross) and "Sport" badging are also part of the package.

Despite the “Sport” moniker, the limited-edition hatch uses the same naturally aspirated 1,5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine as the rest of the range, still sending 66 kW and 132 N.m to the front wheels via a manual five-speed gearbox. That’ll get you from standstill to 100 km/h in 11,3 seconds, says Toyota.

As with its siblings, the limited-edition Etios Sport is covered by a three-year/100 000 km warranty and a three-service/30 000 km service plan (with intervals of 10 000 km).

Of course, this isn't the first time Toyota SA has affixed the Sport badge to the Etios: in 2014, the local arm of the Japanese automaker released 200 examples of a variant bearing the same name, complete with an aero body kit and an upgraded sound system.

Original article from Car