In a move that should add pizzazz to the Etios brand, Toyota will display the Etios Cross at the upcoming Auto Expo in Noida. Toyota is already testing the car in India and it is expected to go on soon after the Auto Expo. Revealed in Brazil in November 2013, the Etios Cross is basically a sturdier and more rugged looking version of the Etios Liva hatchback – a car that hasn’t exactly set the sales charts on fire. Toyota hopes that the Cross will inject some appeal to what is perceived as a plain-Jane hatchback.
Differentiating the Toyota Etios Cross from the standard Etios Liva are more rugged-looking front
and rear bumpers, and thick side body cladding. It also gets new ten-spoke alloy wheels and roof rails to complete the look. The cabin is likely to feature a black dashboard and new seat fabric, and is likely to also be well equipped. We do not any expect mechanical changes to the Toyota Etios Cross over the standard Liva hatchback, and so the Cross is likely to be powered by the 1.4-litre, 68bhp diesel from the Liva, while the 1.5-litre, 89bhp petrol from the Liva TRD Sportivo could be on offer too.
The Toyota Etios Cross will be the Japanese carmaker’s take on the recent trend of launching rugged-looking versions of hatchbacks. While that may not give Toyota enough traction against compact SUVs like the Ford EcoSport, the Etios Cross should help take the Etios brand more upmarket. Expect the Toyota Etios Cross to be priced at a fair premium over the standard Liva.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
