Toyota Kirloskar Motor launches new Platinum Etios and Etios Liva models

Japanese automaker Toyota Kirloskar Motor has launched the New Platinum Etios and New Etios Liva in the Indian market. The New Platinum Etios carries a price tag in the range of Rs643,000 to Rs774,000 for petrol and Rs756,000 to Rs887,000 for diesel (Ex showroom Mumbai) respectively.

The New Etios Liva is competitively priced in the range of Rs 524000 to 628000 for petrol & Rs 661000 to Rs 744,000 diesel (Ex showroom Mumbai). Both the vehicles would be offered in  VX, V, and G variants.

With the launch, Toyota becomes the first in the industry to standardise Anti-Lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) across all the company's models and grades. Also, new ISOFIX child seat locks for all models and all grades have been added to ensure safety of children.

Commenting on the occasion Akito Tachibana, managing director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, ''The New Platinum Etios and New Etios Liva cater to the changing taste of Indian customers with the unbeaten safety enhancements and array of exciting improvements in the styling. Since its launch in 2010, the product has been recognized as No. 1 in quality and dependability," ET Auto reported.

According to commentators, the launch of the models comes at a time when the Indian car market had just started to report improved sales.

Toyota launched the sedan and hatchback versions of the car to take on the rivals in the market, but the strategy did not work as Maruti dominated the segment with models like Swift Dzire and Swift.

Externally, the 2016 Platinum Etios sported a new V-shape nose that incorporates a redesigned grille, black accents and chrome inserts. With the blacked-out air dams that housed the fog lamps, it lent the car a sporty look and while the Etios now came with electric folding door mirrors, it also now got a new design for the alloy wheels. The rear end has a mildly sculpted bumper, chrome inserts, and new internals for the tail lights.