Toyota Etios Sedan Concept

We will now start our Auto Expo coverage and what better way than to start with one of the largest car makers on the planet, Toyota.

Toyota Etios Htachback Concept

Apart from the usual suspects the Innova, the recently launched Fortuner and the giant Land Cruiser, Toyota unveiled the all new Etios small car concept, a model which when launched later this year will the first mass market product for the Japanese giant in India. 

The company is hoping to capture 10% of the Indian car market by 2012, an aim which rests almost entirely on the shoulder of their new small car.

The company also showcased the Etios Sedan concept which would take the fight to the other C segment rivals like Hyundai Verna, Ford Fiesta, Fiat Linea, Tata Indigo Manza and the king of the crop Honda City.

The Etios follows Toyota’s age old mantra of playing it safe. Its not designed with the passion and verve of a Fiat’s Grande Punto nor its as futuristic as Honda’s Jazz but one thing that all Toyotas do and do very well at that is being functional and reliable.

The Etios Rear is quite frankly Boring!

Whats amply is clear is that looks will never be the USP of the Etios. Its safely styled and even though the show car was dressed in a striking Imprezish blue color and snazzy gold color alloy wheels, it looked rather boring. The side profile is the best part of the looks with a strong shoulder line that runs across the length of the car ending at the tailights. The front is ok too with the huge chrome grille and nicely creased bonnet in the centre. Its the rear which sort kills a good looking car. It seems that Toyota designer lost the will when it came to designing the rear. For example that chrome bar on the hatch door frankly looks very much out of place!

Toyota Personal Mobility Concept

Toyota also displayed the personal mobility concept, the fuel cell powered low slung concept car which looked like it was designed in the nineties and the soon to be launched Hollywood green brigade’s favourite Prius Hybrid.

Jump over to see more images from the Toyota stall at the Auto Expo.

Toyota @ Auto Expo 2010

Related Posts

• December 1, 2010 -- Toyota Etios Sedan Launched @ Rs 4.96 Lakhs
• November 30, 2010 -- Toyota Etios Hatchback To Be Called Liva
• October 17, 2010 -- Toyota Ropes In AR Rahman As Brand Ambassador For Etios
• October 17, 2010 -- Just In: Toyota Etios Launch On December 1st In India!
• August 24, 2010 -- Toyota Launches Fortuner Anniversary Edition
• July 21, 2010 -- Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel D4-D India Launch Press Release
• July 21, 2010 -- Toyota Corolla Diesel Launched At Rs 10.95 Lakhs, Ex-Delhi