Toyota in Thailand has updated its 2016 Vios saloon and the new version will cost between 599,000 and 749,000 baht (Rs 11.38 lakh to Rs 14.23 lakh). The car will debut at this month’s Bangkok Motor Show.
Toyota’s updated Vios will have access to an E85 compatible engine (85 per cent ethanol, 15 per cent gasoline). In addition to this, a CVT auto ‘box will take care of transmission duties. The new engine is a four cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine that’s code-named by Toyota as the 2NR-FBE motor. It comes with dual variable valve timing control and generates an output of 108bhp and 140Nm. A CVT transmission replaces the ageing four-speed automatic gearbox that came with the earlier drivetrain codenamed 1NZ-FE.
Segment rival, the Honda City, currently uses an E85 compatible 117bhp 1.5-litre motor that is mated to a CVT gearbox. It costs between 589,000 and 751,000 baht (Rs 11.19 lakh to 14.27 lakh). Buyers opting for Toyota’s updated Vios will have four variants to choose from with the addition of a new variant called Exclusive. This version features side-skirts, LED daytime running lights, differently shaped wheels, chrome accents and an all-black colour for the cabin.
Toyota India should consider getting the Vios to the Indian market. It would be interesting to see some competition in this segment that’s currently dominated by the Honda City.
