Toyota revealed a new low-cost hatchback product, ready to crush both Hyundai Grand i10 and Kia Morning

At Toyota’s State of the Motor Industry (SOMI) event held in Johannesburg, the brand unveiled a new affordable hatchback called the Vitz. Toyota Vitz will be officially sold in the second quarter of this year and promises to become a serious competitor that can beat Hyundai Grand i10 and Kia Morning.

Toyota Vitz is the latest product born from Toyota’s cooperation with Suzuki and this model is actually an improved version of Celerio bearing the Toyota logo. Toyota’s A-class car will become the fourth model to change its logo in South Africa after Starlet (renamed Baleno), Urban Cruiser (renamed Vitara Brezza) and Rumion (renamed Ertiga).

The second-generation Suzuki Celerio launched in the Indian market at the end of 2021, and South Africa became the first country to receive an upgraded version of this model. On the outside, the rival model of Hyundai Grand i10 and Kia Morning has not changed except for the logo swap when the Suzuki logo is removed to make room for the Toyota logo. The Toyota Vitz model can be cheaper than the Toyota Agya (another name for Toyota Wigo) in the South African market.

In terms of performance, the familiar 1.0L, 3-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine used on Toyota Vitz will be able to generate a maximum capacity of 66 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and maximum torque. – Maximum torque of 89 Nm at 3,500 rpm. The powertrain will be linked to a 5-speed manual transmission as standard or a 5-speed automatic transmission as an option.

It is not yet clear if a CNG powertrain will be offered. It should be noted that the Vitz name has been used by Toyota for the Yaris in many international markets. The size of the Toyota Vitz model will not change compared to the Suzuki Celerio. Opponents of Hyundai Grand i10 and Kia Morning have a length of 3,695 mm, a width of 1,655 mm and a height of 1,555 mm with a wheelbase of 2,435 mm.

Toyota Vitz can weigh more than 800 kg. The list of equipment on the Toyota Vitz can completely scare the Hyundai Grand i10 and Kia Morning thanks to features such as central locking, all four power windows, electrically adjustable rearview mirrors, air conditioning. automatic, hill-start assist in the automatic variant, keyless entry, steering wheel with controls, rear windshield wipers and washers, rear anti-fog unit, a system 7-inch touchscreen infotainment, height-adjustable driver’s seat, front fog lights…