Toyota Etios Launches

The Toyota Etios launches in Delhi

We brought you the Toyota ‘Blockbuster’ video for the new Toyota Etios yesterday and expected the new emerging-markets car to launch in Delhi tomorrow. But they’ve been and gone and done it today, and although it couldn’t possibly live up to the hype, it’s not a bad looking car at all.

Much of what we said yesterday stands. There will be both saloon (notchback) and hatchback versions of the Etios, although the saloon will see the light of day first.

The interior – although functional and hard wearing – is not the worst interior we’ve seen by a long stretch. Starting price will be around £6,000 and it’s target market will be cars like the Maruti Swift rather than the much cheaper Tata Nano. Toyota see the Etios as an ‘Inspirational’ car for the emerging markets rather than basic transport.

Engines options were planned to include the 1.4 diesel from the Yaris , but this option has been put on hold, with 1.2 and 1.5-litre DOHC petrol engines the only options, at least initially. Production will start later this year at Toyota’s new factory in India, with additional production expected to launch in 2011 in Brazil. First up will be the saloon/notchback with the hatchback following on a few months later. Target markets include India Russia and South America.

Toyota confirmed that there are no plans to bring the Etios to the UK or Europe.

By Cars UK