Toyota has introduced the 2016 Vios saloon in Thailand, and it will debut at the 2016 Bangkok Motor Show later this month. Toyota’s upgraded Vios will be priced from 599,000 to 749,000 baht(Rs 11.38 lakh to Rs 14.23 lakh).
Toyota’s latest Vios will now be equipped with an E85 compatible motor and a CVT gearbox. This unit is codenamed2NR-FBEand is afour cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine. While it has a dual variable valve timing control, this motor will be able to pump out 108bhp and 140Nm of torque. The outgoing 1.5-litre engine was codenamed 1NZ-FE and came with an ageing four-speed automatic gearbox. Stiff competition in the segment comes from the Honda City that presently has an E85 compatible 117bhp 1.5-litre engine. A CVT gearbox takes care of transmission duties. Prices for the City vary from 589,000 and 751,000 baht (Rs 11.19 lakh to 14.27 lakh).
Toyota’s new Vios will be available in an additional variant called ‘Exclusive’. This version features side-skirts, LED daytime running lights, differently shaped wheels, chrome accents and black interiors for the cabin. Toyota needs to consider getting the Vios to the Indian market to compete with the current leader, the Honda City.
