Toyota Vios Hybrid to debut in Thailand next week — Malaysia to get it next?


The Toyota Vios is getting a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrain in Thailand next week, according to Auto Life Thailand. Known as the Toyota Yaris Ativ in Thailand, the upcoming hybrid sedan will be offered in two new variants: Premium and GR Sport, and is set to feature a powertrain similar to that of the Yaris Cross HEV. 

According to the report, the Toyota Vios Hybrid in Thailand will be powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder DOHC petrol engine producing 91 hp and 121 Nm. This is paired with an electric motor delivering 80 hp and 141 Nm, with power drawn from a 0.7 kWh lithium-ion battery.

Together, the system produces a combined output of 111 hp, with power sent to the front wheels via an automatic e-CVT transmission. This enables a top speed of 160 km/h and a claimed fuel consumption rate of 26.3 km/l.

In Thailand, the Yaris Ativ HEV is expected to be fully kitted with options such as 64-colour interior ambient lighting, Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, Blind Spot Monitoring System (BSM) on side mirrors, RCTA Cross Traffic Alert System, and 360-degree surround view camera.

Along with this, the car will also receive a suite of Toyota Safety Sense advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) featuring Pre-Collision System and Automatic Braking, Lane Departure Warning with Steering Reversing, Front Departure Alert, Pedal Misoperation Control, and Adaptive Cruise Control All-Speed with Stop and Go.

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No official prices of the hybrid have been announced yet, but the existing Yaris Ativ lineup in Thailand start from THB549,000 (approx. RM71k) for the base Sport variant to THB699,000 (approx. RM90k) for the range-topping Premium Luxury. Being a hybrid, the new Yaris Ativ HEV models should most likely be priced marginally higher than their pure internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts.

In Malaysia, the Toyota Vios is offered in two variants, starting with the 1.5E priced at RM90,600 and the 1.5G priced at RM96,600. If this hybrid variant does make it to Malaysia, it could demand over six figures just like the Honda City e:HEV RS.

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