Good Vibes with Toyota’s all-new Vios

MANILA, Philippines - Fifty percent of the Philippine passenger car market: by any standard, a car that’s as saleable as this is the country’s most important and influential. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the launch of the all-new Toyota Vios is the most anticipated automotive event this year. And that’s exactly what happened, when Toyota Motor Philippines finally lifted the veil off their new subcompact sedan last week.

With a nameplate derived from the Latin word meaning “to move forward,” the new Vios is destined to bring Toyota Motor Philippines to even greater heights and bring its product-led transformation to the next chapter: the mainstream. The undisputed leader in its segment since the launch of the first-generation model in 2002, the new, third-generation Vios aims to cement that lead further by adding style and sportiness to its highly successful combination of practicality, reliability, and value for money.

Wearing Waku Doki or “Fun-to-Drive” on its sleeve, the new Vios sports brand-new sheet metal that’s aggressive and dynamic. The Vios clearly takes its cues from the likes of the 86 sports car and the RAV 4 crossover with its angular theme. Upfront, the new face is dramatic with an upper grille that seems to traverse through the swept-back headlights and a sporty blacked-out trapezoidal lower grille. The head-turning front end is matched at the back with sharply creased tail lamps for a truly futuristic look. Aside from being a looker, the Vios’s new design incorporates new aerodynamic elements such as fins located on the headlights, side mirrors, and taillights to cut the wind better resulting in improved fuel efficiency and cabin quietness. Even the roof features a new catamaran-style cut to channel airflow much more efficiently.

With an exterior stretched in almost every direction (L x W x H): 4,410 mm (+110) x 1,700 mm (+00) x 1,475 mm (+15), the new Vios boasts of even more cabin space with more head, knee, and shoulder room than ever before. The flat rear floor design means that three adults can fit comfortably at the back while the stretched rear area equates to more trunk capacity—capable of swallowing up to four golf bags.

Apart from class-leading space, the new Vios features an interior that emphasizes modernity and classiness. The dashboard is punctuated by dramatic lines, chrome trim, molded stitching, and Piano Black accents. Built with “value beyond belief” in mind, the Vios offers fit and finish that exceed its class. With multimedia connectivity fast becoming an important feature among its buyers, the Vios now has an Aux/USB input as standard equipment with higher-end models receiving an integrated audio head unit and six speakers. The instrumentation, making its way from the center console of the two previous Vios models to a more traditional location, features cool-blue illumination for a sportier attitude with the 1.5 G getting a multi-information display nestled just beneath the speedometer. The 1.5 G also benefits from a three-spoke leather steering wheel with audio controls. And for the first time, the Vios is being offered with two interior color schemes depending on variant and exterior color: a more luxurious two-tone black-and-beige scheme and a sportier all-black scheme.

Underneath, the Vios comes with the same reliable family of 4-cylinder engines equipped with double overhead cams, 16-valves, and Toyota’s VVT-i or Variable Valve Timing with intelligence. Both the 1.3- and 1.5-liter engines boasts of excellent everyday performance coupled with superb fuel economy. The 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE develops 107 hp at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 142 Nm at 4,200 rpm. Meanwhile, the 1.3-liter 2NZ-FE features a peak output of 85 hp and 122 Nm of torque. Both engines may be mated to a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic featuring Toyota’s Super ECT technology. Ensuring excellent handling, stability, and ride comfort, the Vios features a reengineered platform for better performance as well as the use of high-tensile steel for a more rigid body and lower curb weight for improved handling, comfort, and fuel economy. In terms of safety, dual SRS airbags are now standard across the line. Higher-end models receive a larger wheel-and-tire package (185/60R15 versus 175/65R14), ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, and four-wheel disc brakes.

Available in six variants: 1.3 Base (P 592,000), 1.3 J M/T (P 630,000), 1.3 E M/T (P 727,000), 1.3 E A/T (P 762,000), 1.5G M/T (P 812,000), and 1.5G A/T (P 847,000), the Vios is available in even more exciting colors: White Pearl, Freedom White Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, Black, Red Mica Metallic, Dark Brown Metallic, and Orange Metallic (availability of which depends on variant). The Vios will still be built at Toyota’s Sta. Rosa, Laguna plant where recent upgrades mean an 18-percent increase in annual capacity to account for the expected uptick in sales.

Considering that the new Vios is slated to rock the Philippine automotive industry, Toyota Motor Philippines hosted Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda at the ceremonial roll-off while two rock icons, Rico Blanco and Ely Buendia, entertained the media during the official launch. Meanwhile, the public was treated to the “Vios Vibe,” a public launch party featuring DJ’s such as Deuce Manila, Motherbass, Ace Ramos X Mars Miranda, and DJ Amely. Immediately, Toyota Motor Philippines moved to make the Vios available for test drive at selected venues.

The all-new Toyota Vios is now available for viewing at all Toyota dealerships nationwide. For more information and schedule of activities surrounding the all-new Toyota Vios, visit www.viosstartthefun.com or like Toyota Motor Philippines’s official Facebook page www.facebook.com/ToyotaMotorPhilippines/.