Toyota Etios in Brazil to get an automatic transmission

Toyota’s Etios saloon and hatchback in Brazil is slated to get an automatic transmission. In addition to this update, both cars will also sport a slightly revised look and tweaked engines.

The automatic version of the Etios has been anticipated by the Brazilian market for some time now. Toyota has been contemplating this move since last year and the car maker is expected to reveal more news on this in the next few weeks. These revisions hope to freshen up the current generation of the Toyota Etios and ward off some competition from the Hyundai HB20 and the Chevrolet Onix, until the new generation gets introduced in the Brazilian market.

Toyota is expected to use the four-speed automatic gearbox from the earlier generation Brazilian Corolla, while Hyundai and Chevrolet offer six-speed gearboxes on their cars. The 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre engines will be in a different state of tune and will make more power with lesser emissions. Toyota is also likely to bring in visual updates to the fascia and lamps.

Toyota India has not revealed any information about an automatic version of the Indian Etios and Liva. However, considering the current manner in which automatics are garnering attention, we don’t think it is a bad idea either.