New Toyota Vios launched in Thailand
[ LATEST UPDATE: Click here to find out more details on the Toyota Vios that will be available here in Malaysia, straight from the Malaysian press preview launch! ]
[ UPDATE: Toyota is currently having a pre-launch promo campaign for the new Toyota Vios. Click here to find out more! ]
The new third generation Toyota Vios has been launched in Thailand, without much suprise as spyshots of the new Belta on test in Thailand as a Vios have been captured recently. The new Toyota Vios is based on the Toyota Belta, or the Toyota Yaris Sedan, which is currently being sold globally. This means the third gen Vios is now a global model instead of being a regional ASEAN model. You can already see the hatchback version being sold in the Malaysian market, the Toyota Yaris. Of course, trim level and some other variables are changed here and there with the different regions.
Compared to the 2nd generation Vios still being sold in Malaysia, the third gen Vios wheelbase is longer by 50mm at 2550mm, which is also longer than the Yaris hatchback which only stands at 2460mm. It is also heavier, now weighing 1045kg compared to the 2nd gen Vios’ kerb weight of 980kg. The 1NZ-FE engine and 4-speed Super ECT gearbox is retained, producing 109 horsepower and a maximum torque of 142Nm at 4,200rpm. This means you may feel the 2nd generation Vios is slightly more zippy than the 3rd generation Vios once it gets launched in Malaysia.
On the interior, dash layout is pretty much the same as the Toyota Yaris being the same car, and the plus point is it shares the Yaris interior’s abundance of storage space. However it also shares the Toyota Yaris meter panel’s centrally-mounted location, which some dislike and prefer a conventional location.
More photos after the jump.
Video: Toyota Belta Human Touch (Toyota Vios)
April 3, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
a sedan Yaris. that’s all it is.
it will not sell well here. vios is a eauty. this one?
a fat boy with a moustache
April 3, 2007 @ 4:25 pm
good in every technical aspect, and ergonomic i belive
but………i hate how its looked,
April 3, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
ya, is a sedan yaris. australia already have it and is selling very cheap.
April 3, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
aircon control switch must go…. looks like late 80s stuff.
still 2 exit louvers only??? face and face/leg….
April 3, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
Vios = belta = yaris sedan
City = fit aria = jazz sedan
Anyway, looks great & a bit like mini/compressed Camry, anyway being a toyota will be a hot seller in Msia
April 3, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
or maybe this is what people say “up to date design”????
“beautiful” ,”new design”????
compare to conventional vw audi …and old proton design,
April 3, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
Are we looking at a Toyota VIOS in the RM100K region ? Looks like the old vios on steriods….
April 3, 2007 @ 4:41 pm
Old & 2nd class interior design for Asean market by TMCA. Boring. This Belta will be assembled at Indonesia plant.Quality? hmm..u know.
April 3, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
Looks a a ‘lady’ car. It seems like the Kelisa or Espri which two of them when we spot a male driver on board it look awkward. Dugong as inspiration?
April 3, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
Hmmm…certainly looked better in the previous post by Paul.
Seems to have contracted the City’s bad proportions syndrome.
April 3, 2007 @ 4:51 pm
well, i think this new Vios looks cool & fine for me..
will it b launched in msia? 2008?
April 3, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
Dugong as inspiration?
Yeah…it does look like a dugong from the front….anyway mid mounted display panel…just not the car for me…
April 3, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
Paul, any price indication and date of launching in Malaysia? Have intention to purchase one for wife.
April 3, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
According to my local dealer here, the price will be the same as the current Vios, and expected launch date is Oct/Nov 2007.. I dunno how true.. but i guess i’ll put more nice idea on how to modify this car..
http://chinese.cari.com.my/myforum/viewthread.php?tid=805629&extra=page=3
April 3, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
Ops.. wrong link above.. here the correct 1..
http://chinese.cari.com.my/myforum/viewthread.php?tid=813588&extra=page=1
Just checkout the pic.. dun bother about wut it written there..
April 3, 2007 @ 5:21 pm
Somehow I prefer the current Vios. The design looks bulky and the centre console looks cheaper than the current one. As mention about the weight increase, this whale really weights down the car using the same engine.
April 3, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
I like the overall shape, but I’m still not sure if I’ll be able to live with the central dash.
April 3, 2007 @ 5:24 pm
haha.. very cute.
April 3, 2007 @ 5:35 pm
Nothing to shout about. It’s already in the market quite a long time as yaris sedan.
April 3, 2007 @ 5:46 pm
Disappointing to see that the tail lights are not LED. Even the MyVi has LED tail lights. From the Thailand website, you can see that the tracks are now quite a bit wider. The older Vios tracks are just too narrow! Wheelbase now longer by 50mm. Basically, should provide better handling than the older Vios. Looks good! Heard from a Toyota salesman that UMW is bringing the new Vios in next year.
April 3, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
I think the old design is better.
April 3, 2007 @ 6:11 pm
sadly, one needs to modify the car to make it look good. so no natural beauty huh. its trying too hard to have the city’s overall profile; short stubby nose and long rear. but, knowing malaysians, they’ll buy anything with a honda or toyota badge. hmmm, but then, there is nothing else too i guess that they can buy new at the price range.
April 3, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
Looks to me like a very happy goldfish. Ergonomic is a definite yes, fuel efficiency not as good as the 2nd Gen Vios though because of weight. At least its wider than the old Vios.
April 3, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
That’s what all the sales man say. I wonder when are they going to stop producing the current vios? when the price drop even more than we will know when the new one is coming out
April 3, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
wah….not bad ..got gated gear shift some more….
April 3, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
it look good to me.. the passengers leg space there seem better than curret vios..
April 3, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
As i know here will only have this in 4th Quarter 2007. Wonder why is so late. Nearly half a year. Vios is one of the hot selling car at here. Should come out earlier.
April 3, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
Did you guys notice that the doors used on the new Vios is EXACTLY the same as the current Vios?
April 3, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
yea Paul says it rite, im one of the ppl who really hates center meter display. overall the car gives me good impression - smiley front look, roundish, cute, fat… until when i look at the interior… sucks! and i tot toyota will be using LED rear lights for their newly launched models nowadays… but not for the latest vios yet… hmmm… does the new vios has a taller roofing? if so, this might be a sedan version of myvi (from wat i see through its interior)… only the engine capacity is different…
April 3, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
It looks like that thing from Minority Report.
This car looks cutsy. I wonder how TRD will make a macho bodykit for it. Can’t really take it seriously. Like Azrai said: Dugong inspired.
April 3, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
toyota totally forgot to make cars with any wow factor…its jus so plain and boring…bt i heard its gonna be cheaper than curent vios…
April 3, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
I dun like it AT ALL.. yucks
April 3, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
Hmmmm…the front does remind me of a dolphin and I don’t mean the Civic variety..and central meter just suxx!!!
April 3, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
Paul, Toyota Singapore already shows this model as the Toyota Vios in their website model-line up. Funnily, I have yet to see the latest Vios in SG number plates….
April 3, 2007 @ 8:10 pm
the only good thing which is different from current vios are:-
- totally new look
- nice meter display (blue base)
- signal light on side mirror
- extra control button on steering wheel
- pockets on both driver and front passenger seats
- cool gearbox
- nice passenger mirror (place correctly this time at front passenger seat)
the bad part:-
- ugly aircond panel as well as the output design (like Kancil)
- ugly radio/CD player panel (seems to be no friendly use)
overall the new model is not bad…
April 3, 2007 @ 8:17 pm
kinda ugly.. the overall design are messy ..some section are simple, some overdoen…… trying too hard?.. one thing for me -> the tyre are too small for the car overall dimension. but should be a hot seller, as always.
April 3, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
I saw this new Vios in Bangkok on display at Fortune Town two weeks ago. It’s more spacial at the passenger seats than the current vios. But the front cover sheet metal seemed not tightly closed. This is the weird design that I don’t like….
April 3, 2007 @ 10:31 pm
In Msisa expect new launch around RM90K la
After one year, it will reduce to RM86K
One more year later, reduce to RM82K
April 3, 2007 @ 10:34 pm
The back looks abit Honda City-ish. So we soon have the new vios, where’s the honda? Bring up round 2…
April 3, 2007 @ 10:41 pm
Ya, it launched at Thailand at March, and launched at Singapore end of March, how come we have to wait until October or Novenber, looks like we still have a lot of stock for old vios.
BTW, the exterior looks is okay lah, not impressive, I like the new vios interior design, and the interior spcae, which is more roomy than the current vios, wider, longer, and higher…
April 3, 2007 @ 11:59 pm
I agree with the people who likes the looks of this new Vios. Its actually quite nice and cuter compare to the current Vios. Coz personally i like the Yaris, but that’s too small, a sedan is nice.
well i’ll still not buy it coz … I DON’T LIKE CENTRE-MOUNTED METER PANELS!!
SIGH! …………………….. why ….. oh … why ……
April 4, 2007 @ 1:05 am
http://toyota.jp/belta/spec/spec/
http://www.honda.co.jp/Fit-ARIA/dimensions/index.html
April 4, 2007 @ 1:09 am
http://www.toyota.com.tw/vehicle/spec_select.asp?CategoryID=218&CTID={0A0D265C-694C-48A7-B312-07105AA981AB}
http://www.toyotasingapore.com.sg/cars/new_cars/vios/fullspecs.asp
April 4, 2007 @ 2:16 am
Lastly, a decent sun visor. looks very feminine, albeit modern and more upmarket. I still won’t buy one.
April 4, 2007 @ 3:30 am
I think it will appeal to the fairer sex more, which I think is their target group. remember the ad with Britney Spears?
and why is it still having center consoles? I know some people don’t mind it and some hate it (including yours truly), but I don’t think anyone actually prefer it in the middle either. Maybe to make space in front for soft toys instead? hahaha.
April 4, 2007 @ 8:10 am
Toyota Vios Budak Gemuk
waiting for Ah Beng tuner..
April 4, 2007 @ 9:50 am
It getting closer to us. Be ready guys. But why there no manual trans for it? the engine respone is good but since it run with auto…phmmm I’ll pass.
April 4, 2007 @ 10:03 am
Paul, it is intro in Sg. There is 3 version juz like Thai, J, E & G. J & E is rear drum while G is rear disc. The diff. btw J & E is juz accessories. However, diff btw E & G is huge. G got Optiron, leather steering wif audio control & split rear seat. 1 slight improvement over previous version is there is carpet on inside of rear trunk door for G.
April 4, 2007 @ 10:20 am
This is strange looking baby, I imagine if P1 came out with something like this the daggers would be out by now..
Anyway I like the AC controls, my daughter and I can play ’spot the hidden mickey ‘
How I long for the sensible Toyota’s of old.
April 4, 2007 @ 10:22 am
i already own 2nd gen vios….by looking at this new vios…OMG..you’ll want one..and you’ll be lucky..
April 4, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
No one has yet to say anything abt its rear lights, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY TRACED FROM PROTON WAJA. What’s wrong? Must be the badge I suppose, nobody wants to say it looks great on the Proton, bt switch it with Toyota, it becomes attractive?
Rubbish. Glad to see there are actually Msians who can say this car as it is, instead of because “it’s a Toyota, so it must be good”
April 4, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
I’d rather wait for the launch of this model in Malaysia before making any hush comments here. They say its a total body facelift and will be launch any time in July 07.
Very smooth lines and aero dynamic.
April 4, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
im not really diggin the design of the front…..the hood is pretty high and a bit short too.
April 4, 2007 @ 3:35 pm
like the old one better, interior looks cheapo to me.
April 4, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
So inattractive, what’s more with a dashboard that looks like men’s underwear.
April 4, 2007 @ 3:58 pm
What will PROTONG OFFER us?
April 4, 2007 @ 4:01 pm
Although the price high at around Rm70K to Rm100k but the actual COST of this BETLA or so-called Vios is only Rm30K I guess after cut out all the TAXES, so WHAT are you really Expected for?
High class like LEXUS or BMW? Pergi Buat Sendiri lah!
April 4, 2007 @ 4:37 pm
Agree with most of the posts here - the old (current) version Vios does indeed look better. More sporty and sleek, in some way.
I can’t get myself to like this new design though.
Cheers!
April 4, 2007 @ 8:20 pm
Still Ugly! Ugly Duckling! coz its has beak too!
i remember i had received video clip on this Belta(JDM)
this clips shown that Belta incorporate whats Toyota called “Human Touch”… check below link :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-scaol-rLU
April 4, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
Ohh … here comez da best compact sedan car design Vios all new design !!! Realy admire dis car
??? how muc would it cost OTR….
Hmmm it seems tat tax on the car was loaded muc
Now da actual Vios in Thailand was priced at ony 40k but it seems tat tax was the burden 4 money !!!!
Overalll i would wanna own dia All new Vios !!! Sleeker … Aerodynamic muc more Styling ….. itz juz like a mini All New Camry !! lol
April 4, 2007 @ 10:47 pm
I think this new vios interior definitely better than the current one, in term of design, quality, and the roomy space, I agree the exterior doesn’t look that great, but still acceptable.
April 5, 2007 @ 8:46 am
me getting a vios !
oh mama mia
me getting a vios !
oh mama mia
April 5, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
OH what a feeling TOYOTA!!!
April 6, 2007 @ 12:11 am
hehe the toyota dugong….
the design somehow grows on me….
April 6, 2007 @ 1:35 am
Ugly… first thing on the list, change the grille to TRD style ones.
April 6, 2007 @ 10:48 am
H O D O H !!!
April 6, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
toyota fail to gather feedback from us…….no central meter plz
April 6, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
Nice, but I really hate all cars, SUV, MPV with odometers etc in the middle just to save cost.
May 30, 2007 @ 2:02 am
I saw the new Vios in Brunei on 27/5/07. Sideview look like Camry. I hope it to be introduced in Malaysia very soon. We should be the leader as our passenger car market is bigger than Brunei and Singapore.
July 4, 2007 @ 3:45 pm
nice design for exterior. just like mini camry as many had mentioned but dislike the centre meter as well. yuck!! ugly just like kancil ler…
July 9, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
well, why new vios seem like a toy car? a bit disappointed to see it. i aspect more than that. why it look so short? the old design look longer than that. so, do i need to wait for the new vios or just buy the old style one?
July 23, 2007 @ 1:24 am
[...] Posts: New Toyota Vios launched in Thailand Toyota Belta on test in Thailand as Toyota Vios UMW Toyota plans to price new baseline Toyota Vios [...]
August 14, 2007 @ 4:28 am
I don’t like it at all….
It seems to be like:
The Front Look Like The Back And The Back Look Like The Front.
August 20, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
Yes, some sort of fish inspired - dugong, dolphin, rounded and fat. Hmm, my husband is going to get one for me though!. And I am not liking the central display panel! Toyota, please take into account user views, thanks!
And I heard from the Toyota salesman , it’s going to launch in Malaysia on October 15, 2007! So, hold your breath, guys!! Hehe!
August 28, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
more hideous than ugly duckling!
September 7, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
Well… i think it looks cute. i guess some ppl like me love fat dolphin too
at least better than new honda city. it looks so boring…
September 12, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
[...] Posts: New Toyota Vios launched in Thailand Toyota Belta on test in Thailand as Toyota Vios UMW Toyota plans to price new baseline Toyota Vios [...]
September 12, 2007 @ 9:20 pm
after taking a look again…the interior dash panel at the front sucks big time…
for me la…
September 13, 2007 @ 9:38 am
Ada persamaan dengan PERSONA P1,dashboard hampir sama terutama console box & button aircond…
depan yaris nampak pelik dan jangga.Interior dalaman nampak mewah
September 22, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
[...] Posts: New Toyota Vios line-up teaser with features and prices New Toyota Vios launched in Thailand Toyota Belta on test in Thailand as Toyota Vios UMW Toyota plans to price new baseline Toyota Vios [...]
October 4, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
[...] New Toyota Vios line-up teaser with features and prices Toyota Vios launch on 4/5 October 2007? New Toyota Vios launched in Thailand Toyota Belta on test in Thailand as Toyota Vios UMW Toyota plans to price new baseline Toyota Vios [...]
October 5, 2007 @ 8:41 am
it’s really look like dugong.
should be rename as vios dugong. ngeh3..
October 9, 2007 @ 1:20 am
[...] seems that we will be able to enjoy the new Vios recently launched in Thailand for less than RM70,000! This is for the lowest spec version of course, which could possibly be [...]
October 23, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
agree!! gemuk sgt, sebijik macam dugong..haha
November 19, 2007 @ 10:26 am
i have a mix feeling about this car at 1st i don like the rear but when i saw the car on the road its ok not great but ok..still the price i thing its still to high especialy if u r buying the E spec
November 22, 2007 @ 9:38 am
The price is still high compare to Honda CT. Vios must be less RM80K for more buyers. If RM70K as planned by UMW Toyota will be a good strategy for promotion and marketing of the Vios
December 19, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
i’ve test drove the new vios recently..it felt a bit ‘jumpy’ along the road, mayb bcoz its quite ‘high’..
exterior wise, personally to me, it is ok..but interior, hhmm..look ‘cheap’ with the aircond control looks like the old radio transistor. and the central meter…arrgghh.. I was really dissappointed with the interior.
In the end, i booked a honda city instead..which is more comfortable driving..
December 22, 2007 @ 8:46 am
Ya lo, u make a good choice to buy Honda CT as it has new interior and facelift too. We can see not many new Vios on the road as people don’t like the front shape and too compact interior. They need to come up with new version of Vios as soon as possible.