Toyota Etios Description :

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (KTM) launched one of its most innovative creation at an event in Bangalore, Toyota Etios sedan and the hatchback, Toyota Etios Liva was launched lately. The delivery of Toyota Etios saloon version started from January 2011. This compact car, Toyota Etios, targets masses in India. As per the company, to develop this people's car, over 2,000 engineers were engaged to give it small size without compromising on the eye-catching interior, power, performance and higher fuel economy. At the Auto Expo 2010, the company displayed hatchback and sedan models of Toyota Etios and now finally the saloon version is launched whereas the hatchback version of Etios named Toyota Etios Liva is unveiled. The launch of this hatchback version is planned in the month of April next year. The company had worked hard to make Toyota Etios affordable and wished to use only domestic components for the same.

Toyota has promised to provide world class technology and quality with the Toyota Etios. The design concept for the car is Bold Simplicity which is referred to affordable luxury and functionality in one machine. The car will have to compete with the likes of Maruti Swift Dzire, Tata Manza and Hyundai Accent. The company will produce around 70K units of the car per year. With its small car Toyota Etios, the company intends to grab a 10 per cent market share in Indian compact cars segment by the end of the current year.

This new innovation of Toyota, Etios sedan comes equipped with 1.5 litre petrol engine and a 1364cc, 68PS diesel engine. The Toyota Etios sedan's petrol engine will produce 90 PS of peak power at 5600 rpm. The engine generates maximum torque of 132 Nm (13.46 kg-m) at 3000 rpm. This simply indicates huge power hidden in this saloon from Toyota. Whereas the Toyota Etios Diesel outputs 68PS at 3800rpm and a maximum torque of 170Nm at 1800-2400rpm.

The shock absorbers at front are independent MacPherson strut while the rear suspension is non-independent Torsion Beam. The suspensions are very much similar to Toyota's Yari. The frames of the cars are rigid and strong with total weight of 930 kg of the petrol powered Etios while the Toyota Etios Diesel has a kerb weight of 990kg for the Toyota Etios GD and 1005kg for the Toyota Etios VD and Toyota Etios VXD.

The exterior of Toyota Etios is sporty and sharp. Front face of the Toyota Etios saloon looks like a smiling face of human with dimples at cheek (headlamps). Upper smiling grille and lower grille can be identical to this model. At the back, a big size rain wiper and rear hood are provided which looks very general. Both hatchback and saloon cars from Toyota have six spoke alloy wheels. Body color rear side view mirrors, door handles and bonnet catch the eyes of the beholder.

The instrument panel, including speedo and trip are placed at the middle of the dashboard of the Etios while the AC vents are in round shape. The three-spoke steering wheel comes in dual tone along with the rest of the interior. The dashboard of Toyota Etios hatchback is general while the one in the sedan's is quite appealing. Enough legroom and headroom are given in both models. As far as safety is concerned, it seems the cars will miss a lot apart from seat belts for all passengers.