Listen for the sound of boosted Echo

Toyota is understood to be bringing in a swept-up, turbocharged version of its TS Echo to celebrate its entry into Formula One this year.

The carmaker won't discuss the subject. But word on the street has it that the pocket-rocket is on its way.

The car appeared at the Tokyo motor show last year and was on Toyota's export list. It is powered by a boosted and intercooled version of the TS Echo's 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. The clutch, brakes, wheels and suspension have been modified to handle the extra power. Other changes are to the interior trim and the addition of an aggressive body kit.

The new car will boost Toyota New Zealand's campaign to appeal to younger buyers. It started with the TS Echo, the sports version of its award-winning hatchback.

The TS stands for Toyota Sport, a brand created to give Toyota a more youthful image. The idea behind TS is to emphasise the carmaker's role in motorsport - its World Rally Championship and Le Mans 24-hour campaigns and its entry into Formula One in Melbourne next month.

The 1.5-litre VVTi engine in the TS Echo delivers 80kW of power at 6000 rpm and 142Nm of torque at 4200 rpm. The turbocharged engine is expected to deliver about 120kW.