Next-gen Toyota Vios to go global, use 1.6L engines?

2013_Toyota_Vios_ 001

The current Toyota Vios has not even received its mid-life facelift yet, and already purported initial details of the next-generation model have been revealed through a report by Indian news publication Mint.

Slated for a January 2018 launch in India, the new B-segment sedan is slated to be a global model. The last time the Vios was designed as such was with the previous-generation model, sold as the Belta in Japan and the Yaris Sedan in North America – the latter has since been replaced in Canada with a new version based on the Mazda 2 Sedan.

“It is a full model change of Vios that will be sold across the globe,” said a source close to Toyota in India. “India is doing much more work than just localising the model.”

Tweaked slightly for the Indian market, the new model will reportedly be sold with 1.6 litre petrol and diesel mills there – the former, likely the Dual VVT-i ZR engine used in the facelifted previous-generation Corolla Altis, probably won’t make it to certain tax-sensitive countries like China and Thailand.

2013_Toyota_Vios_ 002

There, tax relief benefits are offered for cars with engine displacements under 1.5 litres. In those markets (ours too), a 1.5 litre mill should soldier on, perhaps outfitted with Dual VVT-i like the facelifted Avanza.

It’s the oil burner that is quite intriguing. Toyota does not have an in-house 1.6 litre diesel engine, so the Vios could very well inherit the Verso’s BMW-sourced turbodiesel engine – which in turn is derived from the DLD engine developed by PSA Peugeot Citroën. Small world, this is.

Toyota is said to be positioning the Vios in India as a more aspirational model much like the Honda City, slotting in above the budget-minded Etios but below the Corolla Altis. The world’s largest carmaker was initially only aiming to sell 25,000 units there, but has raised its target to 65,000 units as it expects the passenger car market to post strong growth in two years’ time, another source told Mint.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Fahmi on Dec 21, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    Long overdue change..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
    • viospower on Dec 21, 2015 at 7:16 pm

      New 1.6l engine can do 500hp 1000NM torque, wow!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 21
      • Yaa…juz reduce 300kg weight and used 0.3mm thick metal sure can do 500HP 1000Nm Torque. Lastly, u will know that rubbish moving to where

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
      • Vios just cannot beat City’s sales

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 5
    • karam singh on Dec 21, 2015 at 10:56 pm

      Watch out, rattling vios coming out.
      Diesel option in Malaysia? less % gonna happen.
      Toyota using BMW TD engine? no one gonna bash like proton?
      If proton using others brand there gonna be lots of bashing but Toyota using BMW engine aren’t ?

      well, this BMW TD engine produce more power & more economical than the 1.5 Toyota dinosaur engine its a good move.But…. is it reliable ? Is it gonna be cheap ?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
  • Bukapintubayartol on Dec 21, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    Perodua is constructing a factory that is gonna build 1.5L engines. Maybe that engine will find its way into our local vios.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
    • Idealist on Dec 21, 2015 at 7:15 pm

      Hopefully the new Proton Saga can use that engine too. Confirm laku macam cucur pisang panas.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 7
      • No VVT, dinosar technology. Pass

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
      • bukapintubayartol on Dec 22, 2015 at 5:36 am

        Yes, I agree. It would be good if Proton can use said engine..

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
      • Proton Saga? Are you kidding? Doing an anti-aging facial treatment to an ailing old person won’t extent his life.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
        • nosushi on Dec 22, 2015 at 11:22 am

          Using sui kwan Euro engine in “reliable” Toyota, later can be new problematic VW of Asia. LOL

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
          • Agree, that’s why people avoid problematic thing, like how we avoid Proton.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
          • youdream on Dec 22, 2015 at 8:52 pm

            You are dreaming, problematic cars are VW and upcoming Vios while p1 history sudah basi.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Last paultan update the factory expected to complete by November I think. It will produce the new toyota dual vvt-i engine

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • U mimpi ka? Itu tak akan berlaku.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • If it does not go to thailand, it wun make it to here. Prepare to continue the ‘proud’ tradition of using same engine, transmission & chassis for next change.
    Sam Loo would be pleased.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 8
    • Albert on Dec 21, 2015 at 9:19 pm

      Handout Spineless John,if the next generation Vios is fitted with your favourite Protong Campro engine with Punch CVT gearbox, would Sam Loo buy it for his children at rm78K for J specs? Or perhaps,he would or you would if it is priced at rm50K ++?
      Think hard Jonny.
      Forget about UMW,the topsy turvy distributor here.
      How did Toyota make US 17 Billion a year as the number 1 global carmaker,if it is so bad as bashed by your bacteria infested mouth?
      You can sayang protong until death when both of you part or you got to start learning to talk facts.
      No mattter how much you hate Sam Loo or me,it does not matter.TOYOTA is still the number 1 Global and very profitable car maker,wherereas Protoon is still making massive losses until the Arab pengsan,looking at red ink again,come mar 31,2016.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 9
      • nomoney on Dec 22, 2015 at 11:27 am

        Ya ya, their motto is money money money
        Safety goes down to drain

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
      • TLDR. I only get that you rather be buried in your beloved mangled Vios than survive in a Preve. Good for you.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
        • Same L0rrrr on Dec 22, 2015 at 12:12 pm

          Comparing the cheapest Toyota against the expensive Proton, that’s why everyone say Proton is junk.

          Not every Vios driver will meet severe accidents, but ALL Preve driver will meet severe financial problem. Everyone knows legendary Proton quality!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 4
          • U wrong already, i got the figure said that 11.5% of Vios owner dead in accidents every year.

            8.3% only of Preve owner will complaint their car got problem.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
    • Really on Dec 22, 2015 at 12:57 am

      Not to mention the same safety suite. Wish it will come with stability control? Let’s just say your wish of BN being toppled in GE14 has a better chance to come true in 2018.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
      • Which is not very high to begin wish. So wish upon a star very very hard, like Party Hard

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Ibnu bakrin on Dec 21, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    Currently Toyota Etios & Liva are offered in Indian market (for B-segment). These 2 cars are outdated thus their selling is very low compare to Honda City, Jazz, Suzuki Ciaz (Baleno), Swift sedan (DZire), Hyundai i20 & i10.

    Therefore, Toyota India should start selling the Vios immediately and discontinue the Etios and Liva. They too should introduce the hatchback design such as Yaris and Corolla hatchback to top up their selling volume. Why should wait until 2018. Within 2 year, there will be plenty of new design coming in from various brands.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Sam Loo ( ori1 ) on Dec 21, 2015 at 9:32 pm

    As long as its not a kimchi, it will have RV

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 6
  • Sure cannot pass IIHS and Euro Ncap

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • sam loo rv on Dec 21, 2015 at 9:58 pm

    sam, how, your toyotak now with a sui kwan psa engine.
    seems like toyotak just shot your toes!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • ong chin aun on Dec 21, 2015 at 10:37 pm

    Yes, is long over due to change. to 1.6 L. cos the present 1.5 with such a big body seems under-power. If no price increase, then definitely will beat the other two opponent , Nissan Almera n Honda City. Hopefully next year to see in the market.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Sam VHL Loo on Dec 23, 2015 at 2:11 pm

      Current Vios with bigger body and 12-years old same 1.5 engine is grossly underpowered and severely lack of responsiveness (esp with auto) and noticeably high FC compared with previous 2 generation Vios which were adequate with 1.5 engine (current one really need 1.6 engine to achieve proper power to weight ratio). Even previous 2nd gen Honda City (the one with 5-speed auto which i drove occasionally) also sometimes lack of accelerative power (good power to weight ratio can reduce time exposed to danger when overtaking).

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • DPCraft on Dec 21, 2015 at 11:08 pm

    Honda City coming up with 1.0Turbo, die larh toyota vios

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • mat yun on Dec 21, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    Toyota digging their grave…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • If it ever comes to Malaysia, expect ESC to be missing, and only 2 airbags. It’s okay, because high resale value will ALWAYS save you in a skid/crash.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Aero (Member) on Dec 22, 2015 at 1:29 am

    The next Vios might be a global car (again), but don’t count on UMW Toyota for global specs. For all we know, it could still get 2 airbags and no ESC. Maybe, the top model might get an optional ‘safety pack’. Who knows.

    Until our government makes ESC mandatory, the majority of car companies here will not take the initiative.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • Honda did not wait for Gov to make mandatory before giving City all except basic specs with ESP. Apa lagi mau?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • alldisc on Dec 22, 2015 at 2:30 am

    Vios with 1.6 dual vvti is already known to be in China for several years. This is nothing new.

    And Toyota has no 1.6 litre diesel is not because they don’t know how to make it. Toyota has plenty of diesel engines ranging from 1.4 to a V8. Look up Wikipedia please for the easy info.

    Toyota has maybe hundreds of petrol and diesel engines engineered over decades but it has a reasons as to why the collaboration to use the prince engine.
    First – is about good perception. It can sell more cars by using a European sourced engine and accepted better in Europe.
    2nd, it can openly gain new knowledge upon learning the engine. Sometimes there is nothing new but the chances is there.
    3rdly. That is how Toyota strategy works. Example in the aygo/Citroen c1/peugoet JV.. Those models share diesel engines made by peugoet but in return all use petrol engines made by Toyota. Isn’t that clever?

    Why on earth Toyota still want to collaborate with Subaru and Mazda….and BMW when it has access to the very advance engineering knowhow in the world?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • azrai on Dec 22, 2015 at 8:37 am

    Can the new upcoming Vios drift?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • ah beng will be happy on Dec 22, 2015 at 8:39 am

    ah Beng will be happy and proud mine is 1.6 already…and drive like crazy. and just a vios…they are proud for not owning proton…come on Ah Beng!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Ramlee on Dec 22, 2015 at 9:01 am

    If Lotus no shame use Toyota engine then why can’t thick skinned Proton too ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
    • samtowtruck on Dec 22, 2015 at 11:25 am

      Toyota no shame using Banyak Masuk Worksyop engine.
      Later give free two truck service for Vios

      Haha!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • WKulit Man on Dec 22, 2015 at 9:13 am

    Nah, it wont happen, in Malaysia.

    Malaysian will strictly get the TRD version (TRD sticker, and zero performance parts). This has been going on for many years already. Ah Beng owners oredi syukur with TRD stickers while paying through their nose.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • So makan lagi more minyak?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • horrayooi on Dec 22, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    Wake up Toyota. Pls no more 4 speed auto. CVT or 5 to 6 speed auto.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • 1.6 only? Why not 1.8? Still underpower lah…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • winwin on Dec 22, 2015 at 8:28 pm

    Hopefully this time they will get the roof sound insulation right. The current model from 2013 to 2014 has a nasty hallow sounding roof when it rains.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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