New Vios 2016 - Now with New Powertrain, Is EEV Certified for Even Better Value for Money
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New Vios 2016 - Now With New Powertrain, Is EEV Certified For Even Better Value For Money Since being introduced in 2003, the Toyota Vios has been the best-selling non-national model in Malaysia for 11 years. Now in its third generation with more than 100,000 units sold since 2013, the Vios continues to be one of the preferred models among Malaysians. Its success has been due to meeting the diversity of customer needs by providing spaciousness, good fuel economy, a comfortable ride and the high quality that Toyota is renowned for. With such a successful formula, could the Vios be any better? The answer is ‘Yes!’, because Toyota believes in Kaizen (the Japanese word for ‘constant improvement’) and to make the Vios better, all the feedback from owners was reviewed to determine how the model can be even more appealing and better value for money to customer. The improved Vios is now a certified EEV (Energy Efficient Vehicle). As outlined by the Malaysian authorities, the fuel economy, weight and emissions criteria have been tested and approved by the Road Transport Department. Reinforcing the commitment by UMW Toyota Motor to create ever better cars for Malaysia, the savings have been passed on to the customers. As before, UMW Toyota Motor offers a range of variants to suit different requirements and budgets. The Improved Vios launched this month includes a new variant – the Vios 1.5GX – making it a total of 6 variants to choose from. Prices are as follows: 1.5 TRD Sportivo with CVT RM 96,400.00 1.5 GX with CVT <New> RM 92,800.00 1.5 G with CVT RM 89,800.00 1.5 E with CVT RM 83,900.00 1.5J with CVT RM 79,800.00 1.5J with 5-speed Manual RM 76,500.00 * The On-The-Road Price is for Peninsular Malaysia including GST with Insurance. NEW ENGINE & TRANSMISSION For the Improved Toyota Vios, a brand new powertrain is installed in the model. This consists of the new 2NR-FE engine and a CVT (Continuously-Variable Transmission) in place of the conventional 4-speed automatic transmission. The new 2NR-FE engine, like the one it replaces, has a 1.5-litre displacement with a DOHC 16- valve cylinder head. However, where the previous engine had VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) on just the intake side, this new engine has Dual VVT-i which means that the opening/closing times of the valves on the exhaust side are also continuously variable according to driving conditions. Besides having Dual VVT-i, the all-aluminium engine also uses Iridium spark plugs and the combustion chambers now have a tapered squish design to enhance the combustion process. Oil jets provide more efficient lubrication for the pistons which reduces friction. The engineers have also reduced noise and vibration with measures such as the installation of an enhanced engine cover. Toyota’s own factory testing shows that the Improved Vios with the new engine and CVT can achieve 18% better fuel economy than the previous engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission. If an owner travelled 25,000 km a year, this would mean fuel-savings of around 302 litres and based on a RON95 petrol price of RM1.75 a litre, this would amount to savings of RM529 each year. For those who wish to drive in the most economical manner, there is an Eco Indicator. This small green light will appear on the instrument panel whenever the engine is running optimally and using fuel in the most efficient way. By providing a ‘challenge’ to the driver to keep the Eco Indicator light on as much as possible, more economical driving can be achieved. Contributing to the better fuel economy is CVT which incorporates a torque converter to provide much smoother operation with less shift shocks. The computer will always maintain the transmission ratio at optimum based on driving conditions and to enhance fuel efficiency within the 0 to 100 km/h speed range (which is the most frequently used), there are more ratios available. The CVT in the Corolla Altis has received many positive comments for its good feel and the same will apply to the CVT in the Improved Vios. Drivers will notice immediate response to the slightest tap on the accelerator pedal and smooth and linear acceleration. For those who wish to manually select gears, there is a 7-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic mode. The driver can easily select pre-set ratios (in a sequential manner) by pulling or pushing on the shift lever. SAFETY Feedback from owners also told Toyota that there is more concern about safety and to enhance this aspect in the Improved Vios, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) has now been made standard on all variants. VSC, which used to be available only in more expensive models, is an Active Safety system which helps a driver to regain control of the car if a skid occurs. A computer constantly receives data from various sensors and when it detects that the car is skidding sideways, braking forces will be automatically applied on certain wheels to create a counteracting force. In this way, the skidding will be stopped and the driver will be able to maintain control to safely drive around the corner. VSC is for emergencies and is not intended to enable cornering speeds faster than what is safely possible. It also cannot compensate for tyres which are excessively worn out and do not grip the road properly. Other Active Safety systems available include ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). For extra stopping power, rear disc brakes are fitted to the Vios 1.5 TRD Sportivo, 1.5GX and 1.5G. ABS prevents wheel lock-up during hard braking on slippery surfaces so that the driver will retain steering control and be able to divert the car away from an obstacle if necessary. EBD adjusts the braking forces between the front and rear wheels in accordance with the load in the car (eg whether there are heavy items in the boot) for optimum braking. BA, which was originally developed to help older drivers, increases braking pressure in emergency braking situations when the pedal is pressed suddenly. With ABS, application of greater pressure is better as it will make the system work more effectively. Passive Safety is also well provided in the Improved Vios to protect the occupants in the event that an accident cannot be avoided. This starts with the computer-engineered impact-absorbing body structure with high tensile steel used in many areas. The front of this strong structure is designed to absorb and dissipate the impact forces of a collision so that they do not reach the cabin and cause injuries to the occupants. Additionally, within the cabin of all variants, there are SRS airbags for the driver and front passenger. The effectiveness of airbags is greatest when the seatbelts are used (as required by law) and pre-tensioners with force-limiters control the restraint on the body to optimise the effects of the airbag cushioning. For the driver, the airbag can also prevent head injuries caused by hitting the steering wheel. In the event of collisions from the rear, the design of the front seats is such that whiplash (which causes neck injuries) can be reduced, if not prevented. During a severe frontal collision, the front end of the car may be pushed backwards and for decades now, Toyota vehicles have been fitted with a collapsible steering column. This has a breakaway mechanism which will prevent the steering wheel from being forced onto the driver’s chest and also ensures sufficient space for the airbag to inflate. Additionally, the Improved Vios also comes with a knee brace below the dashboard which will prevent the driver’s legs from being injured. All three rear passengers have 3-point seatbelts which provide proper restraint without being restrictive. For those who have small children, ISOFIX points are also provided for compatible child seats to be easily installed and secured properly. During an accident, the occupants of the car could be subjected to extreme forces that will cause their heads and bodies to move violently around (even with the use of seatbelts). To reduce injuries, various sections of the cabin, including the ceiling, have been fitted with impact=absorbing materials. To make reverse parking easier and safer, there is a reverse camera (Vios TRD Sportivo, 1.5GX, 1.5G and 1.5E) which provides a view of the rear of the car. This will not only help the driver avoid hitting objects that could damage the car but also ensure that small children can be seen if they are not visible in the mirrors. EXTERIOR DESIGN For those who want a sportier look, the new Vios 1.5GX variant has a newly designed aerokit (also available as an option for the Vios 1.5E and 1.5J) with new 15-inch alloy wheels that are fitted with 185/60R15 tyres. The exterior design of the Vios remains as fresh as ever with a dynamic side profile. Projector headlamps are fitted to the Vios TRD Sportivo, 1.5GX and 1.5G and to ensure that the beams are correctly focussed, there is a manual levelling feature on all variants. Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are also integrated in the front bumper of all variants to provide better visibility of the car to other road-users in all lighting conditions and from a great distance. The Improved Vios TRD Sportivo also has a new design aerokit and comes with an exclusive black grille for a sportier image.