Toyota’s new small car for emerging markets will be called the Etios, according to Autocar India sources.
The car, which will be unveiled as a concept at next month’s New Dehli motor, won't be a Nano rival, however, as it's set to cost around $10,000 (£6000). Instead, it will challenge one of India's other best-selling cars on price, the Maruti Swift.
The Etios name means 'the origin of', and the concept car is said to be 90 per cent production reality.
Toyota will showcase both the hatch and notchback body styles in Delhi, with the latter set to go on sale first, followed three months later by the hatch.
Toyota wants a gradual ramp-up in production to ensure that there is no compromise on its quality and hence wants the hatch, which will sell in larger volumes, to come later. Toyota is understood to have squeezed out costs wherever possible to ensure that the Etios is as price-competitive as possible. That means limited sound-proofing, a hard but durable interior, basic seats and one windscreen wiper.
The Etios will come with two engine options — a 1.4 diesel which powers the Yaris and a 1.2 or 1.3-litre petrol. Toyota already has a 1.3 (K3) engine but it is not clear if that motor will be further downsized to under 1200cc to meet small car regulations.
It will be sold from the end of 2010 in markets including India, Russian and South America, and it is likely to be built at Toyota’s new Indian factory from late 2010, with production also earmarked for Brazil in 2011.
Toyota will display the car alongside 13 other concept and production vehicles at the New Delhi show, which begins on January 5.
Autocar India
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