New Toyota Vios<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
There are several ways for an automaker to promote a new vehicle
\nto get a leg up on the competition. It can emphasize the
\nvehicle's sleek new design, improved performance, fuel efficiency
\nor all the latest technological gizmos stuffed inside the
\nvehicle.<\/p>\n
When PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM) launched the new Toyota Vios
\nlast Friday, an update of the popular minisedan first introduced
\nhere two years ago, the carmaker was touting all of the Vios'
\nadvantages.<\/p>\n
The new Toyota Vios still comes with a 4-cylinder inline 1,500
\ncc 1NZ-FE engine, with 16-valve double overhead camshaft (DOHC)
\nand variable valve timing-intelligent (VVT-i) technology. The
\nengine produces maximum power of 109 horsepower (hp) at 6,000
\nrotations per minute (rpm) and a maximum torque of 142
\nNewtonmeter (Nm) at 4,200 rpm.<\/p>\n
PT TAM also did not hide its pride that earlier model of the
\nToyota Vios was the overall champion of the 2004 Indonesian
\nTouring Car Championship (ITCC) in the N group. Cars in this
\ngroup have the same engines and transmissions as those sold to
\ncustomers.<\/p>\n
This year, Toyota Vios has won three out of four series in the
\nSuper Production group, which has replaced the N group. There are
\na total six series in the championship.<\/p>\n
There are also three variants of the Vios 1.5E that come with
\n5-speed transmission, as well as a Vios 1.5G available in both
\nmanual transmission and 4-speed automatic gearbox, applying the
\nsuper electronic controlled transmission (ECT) that allows
\nsmoother shifting while going up or down hills.<\/p>\n
The Toyota Vios 1.5E sells for Rp 160 million (US$16,000)
\nwhile the Vios 1.5G manual is priced at Rp 171 million and the
\nVios 1.5G automatic is tagged at Rp 182 million.<\/p>\n
The carmaker claims the Toyota Vios is the most fuel-efficient
\ncar in its class, getting 13.5 kilometers to the liter in the
\ncity. This claim is based on tests done by an automotive
\nmagazine.<\/p>\n
Little wonder the company picked \"fuelsaver and speedmaker\" as
\nthe campaign theme for the new Toyota Vios.<\/p>\n
With the face-lift, all variations of the Vios come with newly
\ndesigned wheel discs, bumpers, radiator grilles and head, front
\nfog and rear lamps. A side turn signal has also been added.
\nAnother change is the use of a shorter antenna. The Vios 1.5G
\nalso has side protection molding and the outer electric mirror is
\nnow retractable.<\/p>\n
Inside, the driver seat is now equipped with a height adjuster
\nplus seat undertray for all seats. The Vios 1.5E comes with a
\ngray interior color scheme, while the manual Vios 1.5G is dark
\ngray and the automatic 1.5G ivory. Those buying the automatic
\n1.5G will also get wood paneling for the center meter.<\/p>\n
Standard safety features include anti-lock braking system
\n(ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). All variants
\ncome with disc brakes for the rear wheels and ventilated disc
\nbrakes for the front wheels.<\/p>\n
There are now two new color schemes for the Vios, medium
\nsilver metallic and super red, in addition to black mica,
\nchampagne mica metallic, dark mica blue and silver metallic.<\/p>\n
The Toyota Vios leads its competitors with a 50.4 percent
\nshare of the market, selling 10,071 units this year as of
\nSeptember. This figure includes the Toyota Limo, which is the
\ntaxi version of the Vios.<\/p>\n
The redesigned, third generation Honda City, launched earlier
\nin September, is the closest competitor to the Toyota Vios.<\/p>\n
Other players in this segment include the Hyundai Accent, KIA
\nRio and Suzuki Baleno Next-G.<\/p>\n
Apart from these sedans, there are also hatchbacks or mini
\nmultipurpose vehicles (MPVs) with engine capacities of up to
\n1,500cc. These include the Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Jazz, Suzuki
\nSwift and KIA Pride.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-toyota-vios-1447899208",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}