Transfer over Gazoo Racing – Mitsuoka makes the wildest-looking Toyota Yaris

Japanese coachbuilder Mitsuoka has revealed its latest-generation Viewt, this time based on the Toyota Yaris.

The Viewt has been in production since 1993 with 13,000 units sold, though the first three generations were based on the Nissan Micra.

For its fourth generation, called the Viewt Story, it changes donor but keeps the various retro design elements including a front end inspired by the 1963 Jaguar Mark 2.

The chrome side detailing is quite different, with a more dramatic arc, though the chrome-finished 14- or 15-inch steel wheels are much like the outgoing model.

The outgoing Viewt had a restyled rear end with a sedan-style boot, though a hatchback version called the Viewt Nadeshiko had a rear end almost identical to the Micra.

The Viewt Story splits the difference – it’s clearly different from the donor Yaris, without Mitsuoka going to the same extent as the old Viewt sedan and grafting a boot on.

Though it doesn’t have a traditional boot, the Viewt Story is still 70mm longer than the Yaris.

Due in the northern autumn, the Viewt Story will be offered with a choice of naturally aspirated 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre three-cylinder engines, plus a 1.5-litre hybrid.

Inside, the changes are far less pronounced. They’re limited to unique trim colours, new upholstery, and a Mitsuoka steering wheel badge. The full suite of Toyota active safety features is available.

Pricing ranges from ¥3,080,000 (A$33,331) for the base 10DX with the 1.0-litre and CVT, up to ¥4,202,000 (A$45,478) for the all-wheel drive Hybrid DX. In contrast, the Japanese-market Yaris range opens at ¥1,470,000 (A$15,909).

Mitsuoka’s specialty for decades has been putting retro-inspired front and rear ends on cars from Japanese brands like Nissan and Toyota.

Some have been rather simplistic affairs, like the Mitsubishi i-MiEV-based Like, while others have been more comprehensive, like the Honda NSX-based Orochi with its radical new body and scissor doors.

Other wild models have included the neoclassical Dore and Le-Seyde, based on the Nissan Silvia, and the Ford Mustang-based Galue Convertible.

Current or recent products include the following:

• The Buddy, a Toyota RAV4 with Chevrolet K5 Blazer-inspired styling
• The Rockstar, a Mazda MX-5 styled like a Chevrolet C2 Corvette
• The Himiko, a Mazda MX-5 with Morgan-esque styling
• The Ryugi, based on the Toyota Corolla Fielder

MORE: Everything Toyota Yaris