WORLD OF WHEELS
Hot new number from Toyota
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ANOTHER week, another race circuit, another hot car! Toyota chose East London’s Formula One race circuit for the first stage of the launch drive for their new Etios Sprint range.
Available in both hatchback and sedan models, the Etios handled the track with aplomb and the spirited drive was enough to set the tone for two days driving the hatch and sedan to Port Alfred for an overnight stop and then the next morning on to Port Elizabeth airport.
The engine powering the Etios is a 1.5 litre four-cylinder unit, producing 66kW at 5 600 rpm with 132Nm on tap at 3 000 rpm.
The responsive engine is coupled to a five-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels, with a positive shift action and stylised shift knob.
Fuel consumption in the sedan has been given as 5.9 litres per 100km and the hatchback recording 6.0 litres per 100km.
The CO2 emissions are given as 138 and 136g/km respectively.
A characteristic of this engine is its free-revving nature and good low-speed torque delivery.
This makes the Etios a breeze to navigate in and out of traffic while providing easy motorway cruising – particularly for a small car.
With the addition of the Sprint model, the Etios range now boasts three different models each with their own visual identity.
The entry-level Xi derivative retains its current styling, with the addition of a colour-coded grille with chrome accents.
The Sprint model occupies the “middle ground’’ and offers increased comfort and convenience specification to compliment the refreshed exterior styling.
Completing the lineup, is the Cross model (available in hatchback only), with its distinctive “urban-adventurer’’ cladding and exterior styling.
On the suspension front, a Macpherson strut design is adopted for the front.
Shock absorber anti-dust performance is enhanced, which in turn benefits shock absorber longevity in dusty regions.
A torsion-beam-type suspension is adopted for the rear, augmented by a reinforcement brace to ensure handling stability.
Overall the dampening system is tuned to achieve a supple, mild ride comfort that confidently allows traversing of bumps in the road.
Occupants are protected by driver and passenger airbags.
The active safety specification list includes ABS, EBD, seat-belts with pre-tensioner and force limiter as well as Isofix provision.
All Etios models come with a two-year/30 000km service plan, backed by a three-year/ 100 000km warranty. Service intervals are set at 10 000 km. Model lineup and prices are:
HATCH 1.5 Xi – R163 900 1.5 Sprint – R172 600 1.5 Cross – R194 300 SEDAN 1.5 Xi – R172 200 1.5 Sprint – R180 500
A regular feature on the Top 10 sales list, the Etios’s wide appeal is evidenced by the fact that12 768 units were sold last year. It is a good entry level vehicle that deserves its spot as one of the core models for Toyota.