Toyota defers Liva launch to June

Toyota Kriloskar Motors has announced that it will delay the launched of its Etios hatchback, the Etios Liva. Toyota had earlier planned to launch the Liva by April this year, but according the manufacturer it now will be unveiled only in June 2011.

Toyota claims that the Etios saloon is now facing a waiting period of as long as six to eight months and the backlog is increasing. The Etios saloon is being manufactured at 2,500 units per month which Toyota plans to double up to 5,000 units by adding a second shift to cope with the demand. Toyota will lauch the Etios Liva once the backlog of Etios Saloon is cleared.

The Etios Liva will be powered by a 1.2 litre engine developing around 80bhp. The bantam weight 890kg hatchback promises strong performance without compromising fuel efficiency. Interior space is similar to the Etios saloon and hence the Liva promises to be the most spacious hatchback in its class.
 
Toyota plans to introduce a 1.4 diesel engine at a later stage for both the Etios saloon and Liva. This diesel will be similar to the one in the Corolla diesel but is unlikely to get the same variable geometry turbo (VGT). Instead a fixed geometry turbo developing around 70bhp is likely to be used as this will offer better fuel consumption and cost less than the VGT.
 
There is also talk of introducing the saloon’s 1.5-litre 88.7bhp petrol motor in the Liva at a later stage to spice up the Liva’s rather tame personality.