Toyota Vios (Honda City rival) caught testing in Bengaluru [Update]

Update 2 - Indian Cars Bikes reader Mohammad Isam has spotted the same Toyota Vios test mule in Bengaluru. There is no confirmation still on the car's Indian launch.

Update 1 - Team-BHP forum member 'spradheep', has caught the  Toyota Vios testing again in Bengaluru. This is the second instance of the popular Asian sedan being photographed in India.

Global testing and validation, a reason that cannot be ruled out.

Team-BHP forum member Sandy_AR has spotted the current generation Toyota Vios which is on sale in South East Asian markets such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Philippines, testing in Bengaluru.

Larger than the Etios but smaller than the Corolla, the two-year old car is currently in its third generation, is manufactured in Thailand, and exported to about 80 countries. The Honda City rival measures 4,410 mm in length, 1,700 mm in width, and 1,475 mm in height. The wheelbase is 2,550 mm long (identical to the Etios sedan) and it weighs 1,075 kilos.

The car is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine that makes 107.5 hp at 6,000 rpm and 141 Nm at 4,200 rpm, and is available with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Safety features include ABS and dual front airbags.

So, what is the car doing in India?

Also read: Toyota Hiace to launch in India in mid-2015 at about INR 40-45 lakh

Given that many car companies carry out real world tests of their cars in India (for even those which are not destined for the Indian market) to check their compatibility to dusty atmosphere, bad roads, Indian fuel quality, Indian climate, etc, we suspect the same case with the Toyota Vios.

The company had previously tested the Hilux pick-up in India, in what was believed to be a part of the global validation and testing programs.

Toyota Vios at the 2014 Thailand Motor Show - Image Gallery

Toyota Vios TRD Sportivo at the 2014 Indonesia International Motor Show - Image Gallery

[Source - Team-BHP & IndianCarsBikes.in]