drive Etios | Drive ETIOS ETHOS The Etios saloon is Toyota’s first crack at India’s vital mid-size segment. Has it got it right? story HORMAZD SORABJEE photography ASHLEY BAXTER

n the run-up to the launch of the Etios, keep everyone happy and offend no one, the levels of anxiousness within Toyota even if it’s at the risk of exciting very few. are at boiling point and have bubbled This is immediately apparent the first time up to the company’s highest echelons. you see the Etios. Toyota has never made a low-cost car Toyota has played safe with the Etios’ like the Etios before and it is either looks. The design and styling is well I the company’s obsession to get it first-time proportioned and balanced, thanks to the right or just a nagging fear of the unknown long . But the design doesn’t that is causing it so much stress. break any new ground. The Etios grille The Etios is the cheapest car in Toyota’s is typically Toyota and the sharp curve universe and sets a new benchmark for gives it some character, along with the affordability by the world’s biggest car prominent creases on the bonnet. But company. This meant cutting costs without that’s about it. The small lights look quite denting Toyota’s formidable reputation tame as does the front bumper with a for quality and using the knife where the pair of tiny fogs. The side profile again customer can’t tell. But making a car that’s looks pretty anonymous but the crease built to a price is just the start. Toyota swooping up in the lower half of the has never ventured into this segment doors is a terrific touch. Also, the large before. It has no experience in dealing 15-inch wheels, standard on the V and with customers at the lower end of the VX versions, seriously improve the Etios’ market and if that isn’t tricky enough, stance. The rear is the least attractive there’s Maruti to contend with. Toyota bit and the vertical boot lid and large , for the first time, compete head on triangular lights bear some resemblance to with India’s most successful car maker the Logan, which isn’t a good thing. The and let’s not discount Hyundai and Tata, same feedback was heard echoing around which won’t make the fight any easier. the Toyota stall in this year’s The prize, however, is the big pot of gold where the Etios made its debut. This sent near the bottom of the pyramid or a nice engineers back to the drawing board to see chunk of the estimated 250,000 per year what changes they could make at this late premium hatch and mid-size saloon stage, after the tooling was developed. Still, market combined. bits like the chrome strip on the boot lid, the side skirts and the silver-finished door PLAYING SAFE handles, which weren’t initially planned With such high stakes, Toyota knows it has for the production cars, were quickly to get it spot-on straight off, out of the box. incorporated. Toyota certainly listens! But with no past products or experience in this segment to draw from, Toyota ROOM TO KILL turned to those who knew this category If the exterior doesn’t bowl you over, the the best – the car owners themselves. It’s Etios’ interior certainly will, not least not a well-known fact that the Etios was because of the sheer space on offer. There conceived after intensive market research. is not a shadow of a doubt that the Etios Toyota asked everyone and his uncle what is the most comfortable car in its class. It they would like in a family makes the Dzire feel like a pigeonhole and and saloon. The feedback was collated, even the bigger Manza is eclipsed. The analysed and acted upon. The result is a rear seats with their large squabs, perfect car that’s been designed by consensus; to backrest angle and the right amount of ◊

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Etios looks well balanced and planted but styling is bland and ‘Every part of the Etios feels like it’s been doesn’t break any new ground. designed after painstaking deliberation.’

∆ cushioning are supremely comfortable. with. The 13-litre glovebox is the biggest Even the height of the hip or ‘H-point’, I have seen. It can easily swallow a big which guarantees a good sitting posture, purse or a laptop and can be cooled too has been perfectly fine-tuned. If there is which is well. . . quite cool. There are seven one criticism, it’s the flat design of the back full-sized cupholders so you can throw a seat which doesn’t have deep contours to drinks party inside, if you’re not driving of hold you snugly. But there’s a reason for course! The 595-litre boot is so large that that. The Etios is a genuine five-seater. you could probably hear your echo inside The rear seat is remarkably wide to easily there. It can take five pretty large bags with accommodate three people but what makes space left over for smaller stuff. The seats, it even better for the middle passenger is however, don’t flip or fold. a near-flat floor tunnel which intrudes by Coming back to the driver’s seat, I only two inches into the cabin. find the raised driving position terrific. The front seats with just the perfect However, taller drivers might have a amount of padding are again the most problem as the steering wheel, even after comfortable I have sat in. They are adjustment, is a touch too low. But I have perfectly contoured to give the right no such issues. Outside visibility is simply amount of support to your lower back excellent, thanks to the slim and tucked- and thighs. The tall, fixed head restraints back A-pillar and the centrally mounted look like skyscrapers but Toyota is instrument cluster doesn’t get in the way planning to provide adjustable restraints either like in the Indica Vista. In fact, the at a later stage. centre console is probably the boldest It’s not just the seats that are generous. styling element in the Etios. The white The Etios has more space for luggage back lighting for the semi-circular dials and other stuff than you know what to do looks terrific and quite unique. ◊

Steering-mounted audio controls standard on VX version but no power mirrors; large bottle holders for every door.

Leather, flat bottom steering very sporty.

13-litre glovebox biggest yet and it’s cooled.

Dashboard is unique, very functional and Etios has good power-to-weight ratio, design highlight of the Etios. Note twin thanks to its incredibly light weight. vents for effective cooling at the rear. Red gear knob stands out but is a bit flashy.

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talking to yoshinori noritake, the Etios’ chief engineer

This balance is very difficult for us to achieve and though we have manufactured many types of high-technology vehicles like the , it’s been with high costs. It’s the low cost and good-quality technology that is more difficult to achieve. This was a big challenge for Toyota.

So is it about optimising everything for the Etios without giving unnecessary tech? Yes. We have Toyota global standards that Captions: xxxxxx xxxxxx jkdjfkdjfkdxxxxxx. we always conform to all over the world but if you see vehicles like the Corolla and the Innova, which are made to global standards, there are many components that are “To design a vehicle with low cost and exaggerated and wasted because they don’t good quality was a challenge for Toyota.” serve any functional purpose and only add to the cost. For example, the climate is different What have you learnt about India that’s all over the world. In India the lowest gone into the Etios? temperature drop is -5 to -10deg C but for the As soon as I was appointed the chief engineer global standards we have to engineer parts in 2006 for the Etios, I visited India. I was that will work in even -30 to -40deg Celcius. surprised to see the traffic jams, pollution Components like the starter, alternator and rough road conditions, even the high fuel or HVAC system need to be engineered to prices. Everything was very surprising for operate at that temperature but that would me but all these issues were very important be a waste for India. for customer requirements in India. The idea ∆ Also unique and clever is the way 595-litre boot was to develop a vehicle based on these What in your view are the most important Toyota has approached the task of keeping bigger than requirements. factors for the Indian customer? passengers in the rear nice and cool. An Corolla’s; 1.5-litre There are five key points – mileage, lots of extra vent in the centre is aimed at the engine has broad What was the biggest challenge when interior space and good storage space, a rear seat and it really works. The throw torque spread. you designed the Etios? Was it cost? very futuristic and attractive design, comfort of the air-con is so strong that it chills the Yes, the brief was to develop a vehicle at in rough road conditions, and lastly safety back seat area within seconds. Electronic the cheapest possible cost to arrive at an features. climate control is not an option on any affordable price but with high quality. HORMAZD SORABJEE variant but you don’t really miss it. What you do miss is power adjustment for the outside mirrors, which is not available as behind the wheel a few extra millimetres blades can. But again, such budget bits are an option on any variant. of leg clearance. unlikely to bother owners. In terms of equipment, the Etios is Interior quality is pretty good but clearly Under the skin the Etios is quite about par for the course and doesn’t stint the Etios doesn’t have the richness or conventional with MacPherson struts up on the essentials. In the top-of-the-line VX upmarket feel of the Vento or the City. front and a torsion bar at the rear. The model, you could end up getting things Plastic quality is about average and though suspension has been tuned for Indian you may not want. Like the bright red seat there are many shiny and hard-looking roads and there’s sufficient ground fabrics and a red gear knob to match. What bits and pieces, it’s pretty acceptable at clearance to clear the worst potholes and you will love is the flat-bottom, leather- this price point. There are some signs of speedbreakers. But it’s the way Toyota wrapped steering wheel which is great to cost cutting though like the flimsy sun engineers have managed to pare the Etios’ grip, looks so distinctive, and adds a sporty visors and the single wiper which doesn’t weight that is a fantastic achievement. touch. It will also give large people slipping quite cover the windscreen the way two Weighing in at a mere 930kg, this large ◊

Incredibly spacious rear seats offer class-leading comfort; near-flat floor good for three passengers; front seats also comfy but note fixed headrests all around.

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The hatchback version of the Toyota 90mm less than the saloon’s, is still quite Etios hatch Etios is likely to be launched in March generous for a hatchback. Luggage space expected in 2011 after production of the Etios saloon too is pretty good and practicality is March 2011. stabilises. The hatch, whose starting price clearly the hatchback’s strength. is expected to be not far off the Rs 4 lakh Toyota plans to introduce a diesel mark, will be the big seller for Toyota. engine later, a 1.4-litre turbo-diesel that Powered by a 1.2-litre engine will power the hatchback and saloon. developing around 80bhp, the 930kg The Etios diesel will be similar to the hatchback promises superb fuel one in the Corolla diesel but is unlikely efficiency and decent performance. to get the same variable geometry Interior space, which is similar to the turbo (VGT). Instead, the Etios 1.4 diesel saloon, is expected to be the best in class could come with a fixed geometry turbo except for the bigger and significantly developing around 70bhp which will offer more expensive Jazz. The hatchback significantly better fuel consumption and shares the same front end with the also cost less than the VGT version. saloon and also has the same upright There is also talk of introducing the cabin. It’s not particularly sleek or stylish saloon’s 1.5-litre 88.7bhp motor at a later but looks robust and functional. The stage to add some fizz to the Etios’ rather 2460mm wheelbase, though a good tame personality.

∆ mid-size saloon is an astonishing 80kg lighter than the Swift Dzire, which is no heavyweight either. So up against the Etios, the Dzire will always feel like it has one extra passenger. EASY DOES IT The Etios’s 1.5-litre motor comes with twin cams and four valves per cylinder but despite all that hardware to breathe better, it ends up producing just under 90bhp. This figure may seem modest but when you factor in the favourable power- to-weight ratio, the Etios feels like it’s up there with some 100bhp saloons. The Etios is quite quick off the line and it’s largely because of the gearing which is a touch short. That’s because the Etios saloon shares the gearbox with the less powerful hatchback, which needs shorter gearing. The broad torque spread of the engine also helps driveability and the Etios has a wonderfully linear power delivery, making it a very easy car to drive in town. The gearshift too is quite slick but you won’t need to use it much as the Etios pulls away smartly from low ◊

Plain and small headlights not very striking.

Prominent bonnet lines and curved grille add a bit of character. Pyramid rear lights a bit similar to the Logan.

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Ribbed roof gives rigidity and reduces weight; single wiper saves costs but quite effective; 15-inch wheels and 170mm ground clearance tackle most speedbreakers.

∆ revs. Flat-out performance is more than steering, it’s the dead zone around the adequate and the Etios always has a spring straight-ahead position. Though this slack factfile in its step and feels light on its toes. In maybe good at high speeds (as it makes toyota etios saloon fact, the Etios’ low weight helped it achieve the car less nervous and twitchy), the lack Price Rs 5-7 lakh (est) class-best fuel economy of 17.64kpl in the of on-centre feel will disappoint driving L/W/H 4265/1695/1510mm ARAI driving cycle. enthusiasts. VITALS Wheelbase 2550mm Ground clearance 170mm Rev the 1.5-litre engine hard and it Engine 4 cyls in-line, 1496cc, petrol does get quite vocal and there’s a bit of IS IT A WINNER? Power 88.7bhp at 5600rpm road noise too. While the Etios doesn’t It’s not driving enthusiasts that the Etios Torque 13.46kgm at 3000rpm set the standard for engine and gearbox is aimed at but the family man who wants Gearbox 5-speed manual refinement (there is some comfort and practicality in a sensible, Suspension (f/r) Independent, MacPherson strut / whine), it is more than adequate and hassle-free package. And that’s exactly Non-independent, torsion beam owners won’t find NVH a reason to what the Etios is. In fact, every inch of Kerb weight 930kg Fuel tank 45 litres complain. the Etios has been thought through, Fuel economy 17.64kpl* Don’t let the Etios’ chunky steering mulled over and deliberated on in the Boot 595 litres

wheel fool you into thinking it has quest to make it as perfect as possible for Tyre size 185/60 R15 * ARAI certified sporting pretensions. It’s quite the the money. The Etios may not wow you EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST opposite. The car has been set up to with its looks but remember that it’s been Features Variants breeze through town rather than carve designed and developed keeping Indian up a twisty road. This was evident even tastes and requirements in mind. Hence it J g V VX in our very limited drive. The steering is blows away the competition in key areas NA O n n n n quite light and requires little effort but it’s like space and comfort, fuel efficiency and ABS NA O Air-conditioning n n n n not quick and in fact has greater turns, ease of driving. The promise of unmatched Power steering NA n n n lock to lock, than usual. There’s a reason reliability and low maintenance further Power windows NA n n n for this. To save costs, Toyota is using a enhances its appeal. Tilt steering NA n n n low-ampere, column-mounted EPS motor At the time of going to press, the prices Central locking NA n n n and hence the Etios needs a lower steering weren’t available but we expect the Etios to CD/MP3 player NA nA n n ratio to further reduce effort. Hence, be priced highly competitively in the region Steering-mounted there’s a wee bit more arm twirling when of Rs 5 to 7 lakh to take on the Dzire. This audio controls NA nA nA n maneuvering into tight spots or making is the first time Toyota will be making a Alloy wheels NA nA n n a three-point turn but it’s never really car at this price point and it’s proved to be Cooled glovebox n n n n hard work. In fact, the tight turning quite an eye-opener. But the Etios is a car Etios completely Rear defogger NA nA n n circle and light weight give the Etios you can buy with your eyes shut because, at home in Indian Fog lamps NA nA n n an agility about town no other mid-sizer like most , you can’t really go environment. NA=Not Available, D=Driver, O=optional really has. If there is a fault with the wrong with it. AI

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