Toyota PH upgrades Vios, Yaris with new engines and CVT

Toyota Motor Philippines officers pose with the new Yaris, now with dual VVTi engine.

Photos by Jason K. Ang

“Don’t blame us for the traffic. We’re only responsible for 40 percent of it.”

That was Toyota Motor Philippines vice chair Alfred V. Ty talking rather jestingly during the anniversary celebration marking the 28th year of the company.

The statement contained more than a snippet of truth, so to speak, as TMP recorded a 43.37 percent market share for the first half of 2016.

As the auto industry accelerates toward the 2016 target of 350,000 vehicle sales, Toyota is in the driver’s seat for several popular categories.

Chief among these is the best-selling passenger car and overall top model in the country, the Vios subcompact sedan.

The Vios recorded 17,022 unit sales in the first half of 2016. It is popular in the fleet and taxicab markets, as well as a strong choice as a personal vehicle.

Toyota is not about to rest on its podium step, as it has overhauled the Vios with an all-new engine.

Toyota launched the 2016 Vios and its twin model, the Yaris hatchback. The main upgrade is a new drivetrain package.

The engine now gets dual VVT-i, meaning both intake and exhaust valves now boast variable valve timing (VVT). The previous engine only used VVT on the intake side.

Toyota promises more power and torque, as well as better fuel mileage, with the new system.

THE Vios is now powered by a dual VVT-i engine, meaning both intake and exhaust valves now boast variable valve timing (VVT).

In the Vios and Yaris, the new 1.3-liter engine is good for 98 hp and 123 Nm, while the 1.5-liter delivers 106 hp and 140 Nm.

For the cars with automatic transmission, the new engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), in place of the previous 4-speed gearbox.

The CVT promises smoother running and improved fuel mileage. The CVT has a 7-speed sequential shift mode if the driver wants to control the ratios himself.

Exterior changes to the models are a case of spot-the-difference. The new Vios comes with two additional colors: alumina jade metallic (green) and blackish red mica.

It also gets new chrome trim for the fog lamps in the G variant.

THE Yaris sports a new interior seat fabric, and dark silver trim for the audio head unit.

The Yaris sports a new interior seat fabric, and dark silver trim for the audio head unit, giving it a “more style-oriented feel,” according to Toyota.

Toyota is keen to deliver strong sales for the Vios. The Vios will be Toyota’s entry to the government’s Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program, which aims to double the volume of locally-assembled vehicles.

CARS provides financial incentives for models that can reach 200,000 units production over a six-year period. No doubt, tens of thousands of Vios units will be joining Manila traffic soon.

Pricing for the new Vios:

1.5 TRD White pearl—

P991,000

1.5 TRD —P976,000

1.5 G AT White pearl—P917,000

1.5 G AT—P902,000

1.5 G MT White pearl—P867,000

1.5 G MT—P852,000

1.3 E AT—P800,000

1.3 E MT—P750,000

1.3 J MT—P637,000

1.3 Base—P599,000

Pricing for the new Yaris:

1.5 G AT—P883,000

1.3 E AT—P793,000

1.3 E MT—P743,000