Toyota Vios 2016- What to Expect from the B-segment Saloon?

BANGKOK:Toyota's perennial B-segment saloon, Toyota Vios 2016 has been updated in Thailand and we can expect it to hit the Toyota Showrooms across the country very soon. Recently the Japanese automaker has confirmed that the updated 2016 model will make its presence known at the upcoming Bangkok Motor Show 2016, which is due in two week's time. Being successfully launched in India a month ago, a lot of speculations were doing rounds as to what the new Toyota Vios will bring for the Thailand auto market. Here we have listed few things to look for the arrival of the updated B-segment saloon from the Japanese automaker:

The Latest Dual VVT-i technology: The Japanese automaker has always been very experimental when it comes to the latest technologies, the latest to the lineup is the Toyota Dual VVT- i technology against the likes of Honda's i-VTEC technology. This advanced application from Toyota makes the engine more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly in addition to make the power unit E85 biofuel compatible. The updated Toyota Vios has replaced the 1NZ-FE VVT-i mill with the flex-fuel 2NR-FBE 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine. This technology tunes down the torque a little bit to 149 Nm at 4200 rpm producing the same power of 108 hp at 6000 rpm.

New Efficient Transmission: The improvements do not stop at the new Dual VVT-i engine, the updated Vios also gets the new continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a seven-speed mode dropping the old 4-speed automatic and five-speed manual transmission. This new combination of CVT with Dual VVT-i tech should provide better fuel economy and improved response compared to the outgoing model.

New top of the line variant: An Exclusive model is added to the lineup that sits above the 1.5G variant with an all-new body kit including premium black leather seats, piano black steering wheel, elegant grey door trim and a gear lever trim along with the latest T-Connect infotainment system. This top variant will also include integrated LED daytime running lights as well as restyled fog light housings and will be priced at around THB 719,000.

Unparalleled Safety: Not only the performance, safety features have also gone up a level with the addition of dual airbags, an Anti-theft alarm function along with the Vehicle stability control on top of the ABS with EBD and brake assist. For Thai market, the VSC stability control is standard across the range.

With all these supreme safety features and the latest Dual VVT-i technology plus CVT, the new Vios range in the country will sit premium above the current models with the new price of THB 599,000 for the 1.5 J variant. While its Exclusive model will be priced at THB 719,000, the price of its top-variant is kept at around 734,000, which is like THB 15,000 more than the outgoing model.

Competing against the likes of archrival Honda City in the Thailand market, the entire range of Vios 2016 will be showcased at the 37th Bangkok International Motor Show ending the long wait of the fans for this B-segment saloon.