Yes, this is the all-new Toyota Vios, and yes, the photo above is from the Philippines. You may have seen spy shots of the Japanese carmaker's best-selling subcompact sedan circulating online lately, but this one—taken by a reader on the side of a provincial road last week—is our best look at the vehicle yet. This is definitely a sign that the next-gen Vios is making its local debut soon. Toyota Motor Philippines has a couple of launch events lined up for July. And though the company has yet to provide specific details regarding what's being brought in, we think it's safe to assume that the all-new Vios will be present for at least one of them. Back to the car: As far as looks are concerned, the photo shows an exterior largely similar to units we've come across at international motor shows. There's a new-look front face with swept-back headlights and a more dominant grille. While we don't get a good look at the rear from these shots, a different reader did send us photos of the car's back covered in camouflage earlier in June. Regarding performance, Thai-spec 1.5-liter units come equipped with the same engine currently available in our market (dual VVT-i, 106hp and 140Nm) mated to a CVT, so we expect no changes either. Chances are the 1.3-liter with the availability of a manual transmission will remain as well. And knowing the length of time before Toyota changes engines, expect these to be the Vios engines for a long time. Of course, this is still speculation until the company makes it official, if ever, later this month. So, are you guys excited for the all-new Vios or are you eyeing a different subcompact sedan? ARTICLE BY TOP GEAR PHILIPPINESThe new Toyota Alphard has arrived in the Philippines with more style both inside and out, better performance, and a handful of added convenience features for both passengers and driver. The Japanese premium minivan was revealed by Toyota Motor Philippines(TMP) earlier today, flaunting a new, shiny and more dominating grille design up front along with a new logo, as well as new sequential turn signal lamps. Inside, the Alphard's eight-speaker entertainment setup is now controlled by a new infotainment system with navigation capability. A start/stop system for better fuel efficiency has also been included. Added niceties are a digital rearview mirror, heaters in the second-row seats, and new A/C vents. Along with the vehicle's plush captain's chairs, these new features will only solidify the Alphard's reputation as one of the nicest cars to sit in. We're still confirming these figures with TMP, but the spec sheet shows that the potent 3.5-liter V6 engine now puts out 296hp at 6,600rpm and 361Nm between 4,600-4,700rpm--a noticeable improvement from the previous model's 271hp and 340Nm. The mill comes mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission instead of the previous model's six-speed, too. So how much for all this? The updated Toyota Alphard carries a price tag of P3,580,000 (throw in an additional P15,000 if you want one in Pearl White). Do you think these improvements warrant the jump in cost? ARTICLE BY TOP GEAR PHILIPPINESWe recently revealed to you guys the prices of the incoming and much-awaited Toyota Rush. In case you missed it, the numbers are: *1.5 E MT (five-seater): P948,000 *1.5 E AT (five-seater): P988,000 *1.5 G AT (seven-seater): P1,070,000 Okay, so now that you know how much it's going to cost, you might be wondering what kind of features are available for the price. Starting under the hood, the Rush is powered by a 1.5-liter inline-four dual VVT-i gasoline mill with 102hp and 134Nm on tap. Transmission options include a five-speed manual and a four-speed auto. Its fuel tank can hold 45L. The Rush is 4,435mm long, 1,695mm wide, and 1,705mm tall, meaning it's about as big as the rival Honda BR-V. Ground clearance sits at 220mm (not bad), while trunk space ranges from 213 liters (for the seven-seater) to 514 liters (for five seats). The tires are 17-inch for the G variant, and 16-inch for the Es, paired to corresponding alloy wheels. Stopping power comes courtesy of ventilated discs up front and drum brakes in the rear. Both the front and rear headlamps are LEDs (we'll verify this info). Inside, a seven-inch infotainment screen comes standard. The G has eight speakers, while the E models get six. You also get a urethane-wrapped tiller (leather for the G) which is tilt-adjustable. The base variants get only one accessory outlet, while the G gets three. The fabric seats are slide-, recline-, and height-adjustable for the driver. The safety features are standard across the range, and include multiple airbags, vehicle stability control, and Isofix and Tether anchors. The top-of-the-line model comes with smart entry, while the rest get keyless. Do you guys think the Rush is worth the price? Let us know your thoughts below. ARTICLE BY TOP GEAR PHILIPPINESWe said it before and we'll say it again: Our country is a seven-seater SUV nation. Because of poor roads and bad traffic to contend with, it makes sense that we're in love with vehicles that can carry a lot of people and clear obstacles at the same time. Right now, the smaller-than-midsize SUV segment is heating up. Honda's BR-Vis going strong, while Mitsubishi is making waves with its incoming Xpander. It's inevitable that Toyota Motor Philippines would throw its hat into the ring. And it just did in a big way. At its annual media thanksgiving party, the Japanese carmaker announced that the all-new Rush is making its way here in the second quarter of the year. We don't have much info yet, but the announcement is enough to get excited about. It shares similar dimensions to the aforementioned Honda, with features like slim headlights with LED strips, a dark chrome grille, and integrated rear LED combination lamps included in the Indonesian-spec variants. Like its competitors, the Rush has a 1.5-liter engine. The Indonesian variant is capable of 103hp and 136Nm, paired to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Now that it's official, are you signing up for a unit at your nearest Toyota dealership? ARTICLE BY TOP GEAR PHILIPPINESThe Toyota FJ Cruiser is dead. Long live the Toyota TJ Cruiser. This utterly delightful concept will appear at the Tokyo Motor Show in a couple of weeks, and it apparently launches a whole new sub-genre. Yep, it’s “the birth of a new van and SUV fusion genre.” It looks to us more like a chunky remake of the people carrier to us, though there are only four seats. Either way, it’s a slab of utilitarian cool, at least to our eyes. Correct us via the comments box below. If you’re curious, TJ stands for ‘Toolbox Joy’. We’re not making that up. The seats fold in all sorts of ways, and the passenger seat can fold completely flat, basically forming a bed. The TJ can swallow entire surfboards and bikes, while there are all manner of hooks and storage boxes. That’s despite it being no longer or wider than a Ford Focus. Power comes from a 2.0-liter gasoline engine mated to an electric motor and an automatic gearbox, and there’s a choice of front- or four-wheel drive. Only there isn’t, as it’s just a concept for now. But Toyota’s tone of voice suggests it isn’t something that’ll be scurried away into a collection once the show finishes, and the interior looks a handful of buttons away from being production-ready. If you’re not a fan, then don’t worry. Toyota’s having quite a busy Tokyo show and, among other things, it will also show us the Batmobile-like GR HV Sports concept and the new Century limo. Something for everyone, then. But only one car if you really like toolboxes. ARTICLE BY TOP GEAR PHILIPPINESThe Toyota FJ Cruiser is a vehicle that you either love or hate, period. Fans will point to its retro-inspired styling and rugged capabilities. Detractors, meanwhile, will point out that it's weird to look at, heavy to drive, cramped, and ridiculously impractical in every conceivable way. Regardless of which camp you're in, though, it's always a bit sad to see a popular nameplate get the axe. Yup, it's finally happening to Toyota's unique SUV. While the Japanese carmaker ended its American production a few years ago, it's now doing so at home as well. Feast your eyes on the 'Final Edition' variant of the FJ Cruiser. The changes to this version are mostly aesthetic, with a beige color scheme permeating throughout to really capture that nostalgic feel. The exterior, seat upholstery, and center cluster trim all get the beige treatment. Black coating is also added throughout the exterior and interior, and underneath are new 20in aluminum wheels and side steps. It kind of looks like the off-roaders of old—beefy control panel buttons and all. Don't get your hopes up, though, because this edition will only be sold in Japan. We've known about the FJ Cruiser's demise for some time now, but the reality still stings for its fans. What's your fondest memory of Toyota's quirky SUV? ARTICLE BY TOP GEAR PHILIPPINESChina-only 2017 Toyota Yaris L receives new appearance package The long-wheelbase version of the Toyota Yaris has just received its mid-cycle refresh courtesy of a sporty appearance package. Only available in China, the 2017 Yaris L receives an all-new aerokit and alloy wheels. Both available for the 1.5 E Speed and 1.5 G Speed Skylight variants, the 2017 Yaris L gets a more aggressive front fascia that is comprised of a new chin spoiler, blacked-out bumper and grill accents, and tweaked headlights. The rear bumper, on the other hand, now comes with a diffuser which not only spruces up the exterior but also improves the Yaris L's aerodynamics. Topping it all off are side skirts which come with red accents and the stylish 15-inch alloy wheels. Providing power is the familiar 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE inline-four with Dual VVT-i. It puts out 108 PS at 6000 rpm along with 140 Nm of torque at 4200 rpm. The sole transmission option is a continuously variable transmission that sends power to the front wheels. Lower variants of the 2017 Yaris L are powered by the 1.3-liter mill which puts out 99 PS at 6000 rpm and 123 Nm of torque. It is then mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Last month, a refreshed version of the Toyota Wigo surfaced in Indonesia. Naturally, we got curious and started asking our friends at Toyota Motor Philippines whether we'd be seeing an upgrade on our shores. We got a few hints here and there, but nothing concrete. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait very long. The Japanese carmaker has revealed via a Facebook post and a press release that the new mini hatchback is here.
Our version looks a bit different from the one that launched in Indonesia, but it retains that same athletic vibe. The biggest change here is under the hood: The old engine has given way to a new 1.0-liter VVT-i powerplant. Other upgrades include a redesigned front fascia (it now looks a lot like the current Toyota Corolla Altis) and rear bumper, new 14-inch alloy wheels, projector-type headlamps with line guide, LED rear combination lamps, rear reflectors, and a rear center headrest. Standard on all variants are ABS plus seatbelt and light reminder warnings. The G variants will get a steering radio switch and mirror-integrated signal lamps. Inside, the new Wigo features a redesigned interior that includes new seat patterns and door trims. The multi-function audio system gets a new look as well. The popular mini hatch comes in a choice of Silver Mica Metallic, Gray Metallic, white, black, red, and a new Orange Metallic shade. Prices for the new Wigo are as follows: E MT- P526,000 G MT- P564,000 G AT- P599,000 If you ask us, this facelift infuses the once-plain hatch with a bit more sportiness and style. What do you guys think of the updated Wigo? Is a new Toyota Wigo on the way? New images of the city hatch's refreshed version—called the Toyota Agya in other markets—recently broke cover on the Toyota Indonesia website, showing off an edgier, more mature exterior design, and a few minor interior updates.
Up front you'll notice that the Japanese carmaker has ditched the old front fascia and grille in favor of a more modern design dominated by black plastics. On top of this, there's a new chrome accent flanked by new, boxier headlights. The image you're seeing is the hatchback's Indonesia-spec TRD variant, so chances are there's plenty on there we won't see in regular models. Inside, we see pretty much the same AC vents, steering wheel design (with button controls), dials, and dashboard. There's a bit more chrome to go around, as seen on the shift knob and door handles. And there's a busy interior pattern happening on the seats and doors, too. In Indonesia, the new Wigo comes in five variants—two of them TRD—with two engine options: a 1.0-liter capable of 66hp and 89Nm, and a 1.2-liter mill that puts out 87hp and 108Nm of torque. The base 1.0-liter variant come with only a five-speed manual transmission, while the higher models allow you to opt for a four-speed automatic. In contrast, currently available Philippine-spec Wigos only come in a 1.0-liter capable of 64hp and 85Nm. We've heard rumors regarding the imminent Philippine arrival of the updated city hatch. If these ring true, we should see the refreshed model in our market much sooner rather than later. Does a new-look Wigo sound appealing to you? If you're viewing this on a mobile device and can't see the video, please click here.
Millennials. We don’t like being called that. We don't all associate with our era's taste in music, or all smoke vapes, and stay glued to social media 24/7 either. But if continuing to generalize those born between 1981 and 1997 means Toyota will push the FT-4X into production one day, then we'll suck it in. Revealed at the 2017 New York International Auto Show, the Japanese carmaker is marketing the concept crossover as the ride of choice for "casualcore" millennial adventurers. It's a toy, but a very rugged and capable one, Toyota says. By the looks of it, we have to agree. The Japanese carmaker goes as far as to call the FT-4X a nod to the classic FJ Cruiser. That's nice, but we see it as more of the classic's yuppie, carefree younger brother. Want to see more of Toyota's new concept crossover? Press play on the video above. In August last year, Toyota Motor Philippines introduced the updated Vios subcompact sedan. It came with Toyota's much-anticipated NR-series Dual VVT-I engines. It was big news, yes, but anyone hoping for substantial changes in terms of looks were going to have to wait a wee bit longer.
If you're one of the many still waiting for aesthetic improvements in the Vios, you'll be excited to know that the recently-launched refresh in Thailand features a drastic makeover. Most notable is the vehicle's new-look front-end, which features sleeker headlights, an overhauled grille design, and new front fascia with daytime running lights. The Thai update runs on nicer-looking wheels, too. Despite the darker atmosphere, the interior update isn't as drastic. Inside you'll see a good amount of new red accents on the dashboard and seats, as well as a few new dials and an electronic climate control display. Everything else can already be found in currently available Philippine-spec units. Visually, the new car is akin to the 2017 Altis. It's an edgier design which ensures the Vios won't look outdated compared to the rest of Toyota's lineup anytime soon. Of course, everything regarding an update to the Philippine-spec Vios is still speculative. We wouldn't be too surprised though if Toyota Motor Philippines were to bring in a nip and tuck to go along with more efficient engines and performance. Do you think it's time the subcompact sedan got another refresh? |
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