Toyota Etios diesel launch in India by September 2011
Toyota’s mid size entry level sedan – Etios was launched back in December last year. Although the Toyota Etios Sedan managed to perform quite well initially, the lack of a diesel variant of the Etios Sedan has slowly began to take down sales in a downwards plot. And now after considering the need for a diesel engine onboard the Etios Sedan, Toyota might launch the new Etios diesel in India as early as September, 2011.
The Etios Diesel will be powered by the same 1.4L diesel engine that drives the Toyota Corolla Altis but will be powered down. The diesel engine of the Etios Sedan is supposed to render about 70 to 80 bhp of peak power and 180 to 190 Nm of peak torque, in FGT guise. It is still not clear whether the company will retain the six speed manual transmission like Corolla Altis Diesel in the Etios Diesel Sedan or endorse the five speed manual that the Etios Sedan sports in the petrol engine variant.
With its light weight and a diesel engine the Etios Diesel is expected to return amazing fuel efficiency and the performance will also be well rounded. Expect the prices to be a lakh more than the petrol version which is currently pegged at Rs. 6 – 8 lakhs. With the diesel Etios, Toyota seem to have another winner at hand. Looking at its portfolio apart from the Camry the company is doing real good business in India. Expect the Liva too to come in diesel sooner or later.
