Toyota India, plans to launch an improved version of Toyota Etios by the end of 2010. The improved Toyota Etios which is in the final stages of fine-tuning, is expected to be launched in 'December,2010'.
The Etios is the Japanese company's important car for India and Toyota has spent much effort to ensure that it meets the demands of the local environment. The harsh road conditions in India have forced Toyota to raise the suspension by approximately 20mm for better ground clearance. Another unique feature of the Indian model of Toyota Etios is a special under-body plate to protect the brake and fuel lines against stones.
Be lighter, Save Fuel!!!!!
The manufacturers have given priority to Etios' fuel economy also. The key to the fuel efficiency of Etios is its low weight. Both the sedan and hatchback versions of Etios promise to be the lightest cars in their class and the company revealed the hatchback's weight of 890kg. This makes new Toyota Etios 30kg lighter than the current lightweight champ, Nissan Micra.
Engine
The Toyota Etios Sedan is powered by a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder twin-cam 16-valve motor developing around 95bhp while the Etios hatchback is powered by a smaller 1.2-litre engine developing 68bhp. Though the power output of the engines seems to be quite low, given the lightweight of the cars, performance promises to be above average for the class.
The diesel Etios is powered by the same 87bhp 1.4-litre engine as in the Corolla Altis but in a significantly smaller and lighter car, performance should again be more than adequate.
Comfort & Interiors
Toyota has given top priority to comfort as well. The suspension set-up is on the softer side and the bushes have been optimized to give the right amount of compliance for a smooth ride.
The wheelbase of Sedan model of Etios is 2550mm where as that of hatchback Etios is 2460mm. This gives new Etios exceptional interior space and it is likely to be the most spacious car in its class.
Variants
Toyota plans to launch four trim levels of the Etios. The basic version will be significantly stripped down and though air conditioning will be standard, there will be no power steering. The top-end model has all the features including 15-inch alloys. Surprisingly, Toyota is not offering electrically operated side mirrors for any variant, which is now common in other cars in the same class like Hyundai i10. ABS and airbags are standard for the top three models and a great facility is that even in the base model, these safety features are optionally available.
Price
Toyota keeps silence about the price of new Etios, but the price is expected to come in the lower end of the premium hatchback spectrum. Thus, the new Toyota Etios won't be as costly as the Honda Jazz or Volkswagen Polo, but will likely come in the price range of Nissan Micra and Maruti-Suzuki Swift. The price of the sedan version is expected to be in the range of that of Maruti-Suzuki Dzire.
The Toyota Etios Sedan is expected to be launched in December 2010 where as the hatchback version is expected to touch the roads in March, 2011.
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