September 7, 2022

Toyota Shows Off Left-Hand Drive 2023 Vios, Features Carryover Powertrains


Well, that didn’t take long. After its global reveal as the Yaris Ativ last month, the 2023 Toyota Vios has now made its left-hand drive debut for the Laos market.

The Vios’s introduction in Laos is significant for two reasons. First, it’s the first time the all-new sub-compact sedan has been referred to officially as the Vios. Second, it makes its global debut as a left-hand drive model.

Exterior-wise, the Laotian market Vios is pretty much the same as the Thailand market car except for the wheels. Having said that, both use the same 195/60R16 tire size.


Now, here’s the interesting bit. While Thailand Yaris Ativ had to use a 1.2-liter Dual VVT-iE engine with 94 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque to meet that country’s Eco Car requirements, this left-hand drive model features, you guessed it, a carryover powertrain (displacement-wise).

For the Laos market, it gets a 1.3-liter 1NR-VE engine (versus the current 1NR-FE) making the same 98 horsepower and 122 Nm of torque. It also gets a carryover 5-speed manual or CVT (not Super CVT-i) gearbox. While Laos doesn’t get a 1.5-liter engine, this lends credence to the possibility that the 2023 Vios will also make this engine available for markets that need the extra 200-ccs of displacement such as the Philippines.


At the rate of Toyota’s regional roll out of the all-new Vios, it’s just going to be a matter of time before the Philippines gets this much-awaited sedan too. Will it arrive just in time for a preview at the Philippine International Motor Show? Let’s see.

6 comments:

  1. Imagine the 2023 base 1.3-liter Vios used as a Taxi in Metro Manila...

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    Replies
    1. That's expected to happen. Ang tanong ay kung saan ilalagay ang taxi meter since yung dashboard layout niya, kung between the aircon vents at audio system ba or sa taas.

      Delete
  2. Why does it still have old long antenna and not sharksfin type?

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  3. Old reliable engines to save costs..Smart move by Toyota

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  4. Can Toyota say " All New" if its a carry over engine?

    ReplyDelete

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