The entry-level 1.5J is priced at RM77,200 (OTR without insurance), the mid-range 1.5E at RM81,200 and the range-topping 1.5G at RM87,300.
All variants are assembled at the company's newly minted RM2bil plant in Selangor's Bukit Raja Industrial Estate. The roughly 670,000 square metre plant is manned by about 1,000 personnel and has a production capacity of 50,000 units per annum.
The latest iteration of the third-generation Vios comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and five colour choices of Attitude Black, Silver Metallic and Super White II with new additions of Red Mica Metallic and Dark Blue Metallic.
Toyota says the 2FR-NE 1.5-litre engine with Dual-VVTi has been improved. Featuring Eco and Power modes, it produces 107PS at 6,000rpm and 140Nm of torque at 4,200rpm. Fuel tank capacity is 42-litres.
A continuously variable transmission with seven virtual gears manages power delivery to the front wheels. Only the 1.5G comes with paddle shifters.
At 1,110kg (kerb), the new Vios has a sportier design over its predecessor to appeal to a younger crowd. Front suspension is MacPherson struts while the rear gets torsion beam.
For the 1.5J, flanking the newly designed front bumper are the front multi-reflector halogen headlamps with Follow-Me-Home function and LED daytime running lights, while the rear gets bulbed combination lamps with fogs as well as a shark-fin antenna, door visors and 15-inch wheels (steel spare wheel) with 185/60 series tyres. It is equipped with front disc brakess and rear drum brakes.
Inside, the blacked-out cabin gets electric-power steering system, keyless entry with push-start button, illuminated scuff plates, fabric upholstery, rear fixed backrests, automatic climate controls, four-speaker sound system, 2-DIN head unit with CD, radio, MP3, AUX-Jack, USB and Bluetooth, power windows with driver only automatic up/down and jam protection, and front footwell illumination.
Extra-charge options are security and solar window tint (RM2,120); aero kit (front and rear spoiler, side skirts and a trunk lip for RM2,800); and a 6.8-inch touchscreen DVD player (USB Mirroring, radio, HDMI, MP3, Voice Dial, AUX-jack, Bluetooth) with reverse camera for RM2,160.
Standard safety equipment includes seven airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, speed-linked automatic door locks, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill-start assist control and rear parking sensors.
Unlike the 1.5J, the 1,120kg 1.5E gets rear LED light clusters and rear backrests fold in a 60:40 split. It also comes with a better 2-DIN head unit in the form of a 6.8-inch touchscreen DVD player with reverse camera and 360-degree view.
Adding to the 1.5E kit are front fogs, thicker acoustic windshield glass, power retractable side mirrors with integrated turn indicators, armrest with cupholders, steering wheel audio controls, front Digital Video Recorder (DVR), solar and security tint as well as Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
The 1,145kg 1.5G equipment list builds on those of the 1.5E. It features solid rear disc brakes, larger 16-inch wheels with 195/50 series tyres (alloy spare wheel instead of steel wheel), which results in a minimum turning radius of 5.7m instead of 5.1m.
The 1.5G also gets halogen projector headlights, along with chrome accents for the grille and door handles, electrochromic rear view mirror, perforated combination leather upholstery, Optitron analogue instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch colour digital multi-information display (MID), paddle shifters, leather-wrapped steering and gear shifter, MID and Bluetooth steering wheel controls, six-speaker sound system and front parking sensors.
Along with the aero kit, a rear DVR for RM350 is also available as an option for the 1.5E and 1.5G variants.
In an interview with Toyota Motor Corp deputy chief Vios engineer Akira Kasamatsu, he said that the body of the new Vios received more spot welding points, while the underbody had been reinforced to increase rigidity.
Kasamatsu briefing the media on the technical aspects of the new Vios.
To elevate ride comfort and project an upmarket feel, Kasamatsu said the coil springs and shock absorbers of the B-segment sedan as well as the cabin's level of quietness had been improved by benchmarking them against C-segment vehicles.
He also said the CVT had been tweaked to simulate the shift-feel of a regular automatic transmission in order to bring about "a more exciting drive".
From left: UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K., UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman Akio Takeyama and Kasamatsu.
