Just a week after its global debut, Toyota Motor Philippines has officially announced the arrival of the first-ever Vios Hybrid. But it seems it won’t be using the Vios name. Here’s why.
Check out TMP’s teaser photo. It states (A)chieve (T)he Electr(I)Ified (V)ision. The letters inside the parentheses are highlighted in blue, which form the word Ativ. Is this a cryptic teaser that also suggests it will be called the Toyota Ativ? We definitely think so.
If that’s the case, then TMP might be following the footsteps of the Toyota Zenix and locally-manufactured Innova, which, though the Zenix is technically the “Innova Zenix”, the two models are distinct and separate from their naming here in the Philippines. Meanwhile, with the Vios still a fundamental part of TMP’s local production, the most likely scenario is that the Toyota Ativ Hybrid will be sold alongside the locally-made Vios.
Makes sense, doesn’t it? Offer a subcompact hybrid sedan to finally rival the BYD Seal 5 DM-i, and this segment suddenly just got a lot more interesting. Meanwhile, the discontinuation of the 1.5-liter Vios models completely make sense as well, since this will now be a space that will be filled by the new Toyota Ativ.
Moving forward, calling the new sedan as Toyota Ativ just simply sounds right. And so, what can we expect from this subcompact hybrid sedan? Well, as it rides on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA), it shares the same 1.5-liter Toyota Hybrid System that’s found in the Yaris Cross. Therefore, it has a 111 total system horsepower, and it drives the front wheels via a planetary gear-type e-CVT.
Styling-wise, the Toyota Ativs carries a fastback design. The front fascia is characterized by a wide grille that’s flanked by full LED headlights. Moving towards the rear end, we can see that the Vios has been given wide and slim taillights, likewise finished in full LEDs in higher variants. It even comes with sequential rear LED turn signals.
Over in Thailand, where it made its global debut, there is a new GR Sport variant. This version comes with a unique front bumper, new side skirts and a rear bumper skirt, new 17-inch wheels, as well as a black roof and side mirrors.
As for their interiors, both variants feature a fully-digital gauge cluster, a 10.1-inch infotainment, and ambient LED lighting. The GR Sport adds a GR Sport steering wheel, as well as unique leather upholstery with the GR Sport logo on the headrests. Finally, a six-speaker Pioneer sound system is fitted in the GR Sport.
TMP has not yet announced when the Toyota Ativ will make its local debut, but in the meantime, you can stick to Go Flat Out PH for anything that’s about the new and highly-anticipated subcompact hybrid sedan.
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