Toyota is developing a compact version of the Etios Sedan and it could be put on sale by mid-2013. This is a move many car makers are making to have a sedan in their portfolio that is under 4-metres in length to avail the tax benefits resulting in lower cost of the car. After Honda announced the launch of the Amaze compact sedan, many car companies have doubled their efforts to launch a car in this segment. Mahindra is already working on a compact sedan version of the Verito, due for launch by March 2013.
The Toyota Etios Compact Sedan is expected to be powered by the same engines that do duty in the Etios Liva hatchback. There is a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 80 BHP and a 1.4-litre diesel engine producing 67 BHP. The diesel engine is quite popular for the amazing city drivability and fuel efficiency and powers the bigger Etios sedan as well. The compact sedan will have a smaller boot to keep the length under 4-metres just like Maruti Suzuki have done with the new Swift Dzire.
The most luring factor of this car will be its pricing. Though exact details are not known, the Etios compact sedan will be priced around Rs. 5 lakhs and go upto Rs. 7 lakhs, making it an extremely value for money proposition. The Etios twins are extremely spacious inside and even the hatchback has a pretty big boot so it can be expected the compact sedan will be equally spacious. So the notchback should fetch many customers wanting a sedan but who do not need as big a boot with very frugal engines and a very value for money price tag.
Source – ZigWheels
