Preview of Toyota Vios
As with the Toyota Corolla Altis and Camry, UMW Toyota Motor tonight gave the media a sneak preview of its next new model – the Toyota Vios – at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Two pre-production units (one in metallic copper and the other in black) from the company’s Shah Alam assembly plant were displayed.
As many will know, the Vios model line first appeared in China as the T-1 concept which Toyota described as having a new ‘global platform’. Within a short time, Toyota confirmed that it would become the Vios and thereafter, it was also clear that this new model – smaller than the Corolla – would be the successor to the Soluna, a model which Toyota had developed in the mid-1990s as an ‘affordable Toyota’.
The Soluna was fairly successful in markets such as Thailand but was never introduced in Malaysia partly of its specifications and the fact that the Corolla was a good representative for Toyota at the low end.
However, with the growing aggressiveness of the Korean makes, which became quite noticeable in the past year, UMW Toyota Motor had to quickly fight back against new rivals which attracted with their lower prices. The new Vios was the perfect model to do so and unlike the rather ‘simple’ Soluna, this new entry-level model is packed with a lot of the latest technology. It would appear that Toyota has understood that whilst consumers in Malaysia may require more affordable products, they are not willing to settle for a reduced level of features and specifications.
News of the Vios coming to Malaysia first surfaced last year when UMW Toyota Motor’s Chairman mentioned that, in 2003, an ‘RM80,000 Toyota would be offered’. Some people thought it might be the Yaris, a very successful small hatchback in Europe, but it was very clear that the Vios was going to be the one since it was already announced for Thailand. Given that AFTA will see manufacturers rationalizing models for ASEAN, whatever is offered in Thailand will almost certainly appear in neighbouring countries too.
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So the Vios is to also be sold in Malaysia and while tonight was a preview, customers can already get information and make bookings for the car but deliveries will not start till mid-year. And the estimated on-the-road price, unfortunately, does not start at RM80,000 but at RM85,000 for the Vios 1.5E and RM95,000 for the Vios 1.5G.
What do you get for RM10,000 more with the Vios 1.5G? From what can be seen in the specifications, the extra money goes into safety features – ABS + EBD and a passenger’s airbag (driver’s airbag is standard for both versions)– and more chrome inside and on the body. The 1.5G also gets a higher grade of audio system (2-DIN unit with integrated CD-player) and 15-inch alloy wheels instead of 14-inch ones. Leather is an option and it is believed that the marketing people at UMW Toyota Motor are also looking at some sporty add-ons for the car.
As mentioned earlier, the Vios is packed with modern automotive technology and this is evident in the ‘heart’ of the car. The engine is an 80 kW/142 Nm 1.5-litre (1496 cc, long-stroke) DOHC EFI 16-valve unit with VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) technology. This Toyota-developed technology, already used in the latest Corolla and Camry engines, is proven to enhance performance, fuel efficiency while having cleaner exhaust emissions.
This lightweight all-aluminium engine, designated ‘1NZ-FE’, is from a new family of Toyota engines for the 21st century. A smaller variant was voted ‘Best Engine’ in Europe in the International Engine of the Year Awards while another variant with the same displacement is used in the Toyota Hybrid System of the advanced Toyota Prius.
As with all the latest Toyota sedans assembled in Malaysia, an electronically-controlled 4-speed automatic transmission (Super ECT) is standard for the Vios (manual transmission not available). This highly efficient transmission adapts to individual driving styles for optimal operating efficiency and motoring comfort. For an extra measure of safety, a Shift Lock system is incorporated.
The corrosion-resistant monocoque bodyshell of the Vios employs a new approach in its construction which enhances stiffness, durability and quality – without requiring more weight. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) are kept low and to keep out noise, double door seals are used. Such seals, also used in the latest Corolla Altis and Camry, are more commonly found on expensive luxury models.
Complementing this advancement is a chassis with a newly developed suspension system comprising independent MacPherson struts for the front wheels and an ETA Beam layout for the rear suspension (also used for the Toyota Corolla).
Vios occupants will enjoy world-class safety features with high levels of Active and Passive Safety. Besides having a strong bodyshell that meets the latest Toyota crash-test standards known as GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment), there is a Head Impact Protection Structure and whiplash injury-lessening (WIL) front seat designs.
Inside the Vios, the spaciousness establishes a new standard for sedans with its compact dimensions. Headroom, legroom and elbow room are all generously provided. Additionally, access is very convenient due to the higher hip point of the front and rear seats.
Following the trend started by the Toyota Prius, the instrument panel is positioned in the centre of the dashboard. This location is not chosen just to be different but is the result of studies by Toyota researchers. By placing the meters further away from the driver, legibility is said to be better and focusing is also quicker, especially when the driver has to look from the outside to the meters within the car.
Understanding that today’s motorist carries many things, the interior designers have provided lots of storage spaces for items like handphones, PDAs, business cards and drinks. The boot also has a useful 400-litre capacity which can accommodate three golfbags; loading is easy with the low sill and wide opening.
No less than eight colour choices are available: Metallic Copper, Coal Black, Arctic Silver, Champagne Gold, Sahara Brown, Sky Blue, Marine Blue and Crystal White. As with all the latest Toyota models assembled locally, the warranty is 3 years (or 100,000 kms, whichever comes first after original registration) long.
