Toyota Kirloskar Motors, inspite of parent company Toyota Motors Limited been the world number 1 manufacturer, hasn’t got a big market share from India. This is primarily due to the fact that Toyota Kirloskar Motors don’t have a small car, which is usually the bread and butter model for most manufacturers. Internationally Toyota Motors Limited have many small cars however for the Indian market, they are building up an all new grounds up model. The first one to be launched would be the Toyota Etios sedan. It is the booted version of the Toyota Etios hatchback.
The main competitors for the Toyota Etios sedan would be the Mahindra Logan, Maruti Swift Dzire, Ford Ikon, Chevrolet Aveo and the Tata Indigo CS. From the view of the car shown at the Delhi Auto Expo, it looks quite similar to the not so low cost car from Renault, the Mahindra Logan. However Toyota Kirloskar Motors don’t want to go the Mahindra way and have invested heavily in vendor development and to also increase localization of components to keep the costs down. In this way, they can price the car at a competitive pricing than the others in this segment.
Well the things going the Toyota Etios sedan’s way are first and foremost, its Toyota badge and then the subsequent promise of excellent quality as well as reliability. Toyota Kirloskar Motors has ensured that they have the bragging rights for the Toyota Etios sedan by signing on the music maestro, A R Rahman as its brand ambassador. Now, we aren’t quite sure if this would spruce up the public interest in the Toyota Etios sedan and only time would tell it. A R Rahman is expected to be endorsing the car both in electronic as well as print media.
When asked the reason for saying yes to been Toyota Etios sedan’s brand ambassador, A R Rahman said that he believes in quality which is created when skill meets dedication, passion meets perfection and insight meets inspiration and Toyota Kirloskar Motors represents all this. He also commented that these are the same values which drive the Toyota Etios sedan and hence he is delighted to be a part of this enterprise.
Bookings for the Toyota Etios sedan start from December 1, 2010 and initially only the 1.5 petrol version of the car would be rolled out. This engine produces 102 Bhp, a segment first. Factor in the Toyota Etios sedan’s kerb weight of 958 kg and you can be rest assured that this would be one fast small sedan. Fuel efficiency would also be class defining though Toyota Kirloskar Motors haven’t given any official figures on the same. There would also be good amount of options as well as safety features on offer. A diesel engine is to may its way much later based on demand. It wouldn’t be a new diesel engine and would be the same one doing duties on the Toyota Corolla Altis diesel. The 1.4 liter unit puts out 77 Bhp and going by the performance on the former, it would be smoking on the much lighter Toyota Etios sedan model.
Prices would start from Rs. 5.28 lakhs {ex-show room, Delhi} for the base variant to Rs. 6.02 lakhs {ex-show room, Delhi}for the fully loaded variant. There would be at least 3 variants on offer.
Technical specifications of the Toyota Etios sedan
Engine Displacement: 1498 cc 16 valve DOHC with VVT-I producing 102 Bhp
Overall Length: 4200 mm
Overall Width Length: 1795 mm
Overall Height Length: 1590 mm
Gears: 5 speed Manual
Ground Clearance: 176.00 mm
Front Brakes: Disc
Rear Brakes: Drum
Seating Capacity: 5 persons
Rear Wiper and wheel covers would be standard