BANGKOK MOTOR SHOW: Toyota TRD overload

Toyota has used this week's Bangkok motor show to unveil three new TRD Sportivo models based on the HiLux ute, Fortuner SUV and Yaris hatch, but none of them will become available in Australia.

Toyota Australia says it has no plans to release a TRD-badged Yaris, because the Thai vehicle is based on the Asian-market light hatch rather than the model sold here.

Thailand's new Yaris TRD Sportivo features a host of cosmetic upgrades but an unchanged 63kW/108Nm 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and CVT automatic transmission.

Australia's Yaris five-door continues on sale with a 63kW/121Nm 1.3 in the base Ascent, and an 80kW/141Nm 1.5 for all other models plus the aged Yaris sedan.

In Thailand, the Yaris TRD Sportivo will be marketed via a big-budget ad campaign featuring Katy Perry. Extras include a sports body kit, LED DRLs, black wheel-arch trim, polished alloy wheels and a host of cabin updates including orange inserts for the black leather trim, doors and dash.

Also making its world debut in Bangkok – a year after the HiLux TRD Sports concept debuted at the 2015 Thai show -- are TRD Sportivo versions of both the HiLux and Fortuner.

Both rugged utilities score chunkier front and rear bumpers with dark chrome grille and rear-end garnishes, dark chrome 17-inch alloy wheels, TRD bagding, TRD LED scuff plates, TRD-badged exhaust outlets, Optitron gauges, TRD floor mats, Carbon/Kevlar interior highlights with red stripes and 11-speaker audio.

Designed and developed by Toyota Thailand and Toyota Motor Asia Pacific, the HiLux and Fortuner TRD Sportivo will be available in Thailand (where the one-tonner is known as the HiLux Revo) in two paint colours -- Attitude Black Mica and White Pearl – with a black roof an optional extra.

There are no mechanical upgrades, with a 130kW/450Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel powering all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, but both models will come with TRD-spec suspension springs and dampers.

"As they say, never say never, but for now there is no plan to introduce these models," said Toyota Australia public relations manager Mike Breen.