IndianAutosBlog.com reader Jishnu sent in snaps of the Etios Liva diesel and Etios diesel emitting small puffs of black smoke while being testing in Bangalore. The mules were spotted testing in JP Nagar 7th phase with the same body panels, interiors and front end.
Jishnu's spotting confirms that, except for the addition of a badge, everything will be similar compared to the petrol Etioses.
Unlike the petrol, the diesel engines under both the bonnets will displace the same capacity. A 1.4-liter turbo CRDI engine will drive the wheels returning in excess of 21kmpl in the ARAI mileage tests. It will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
Toyota has said that it is "ready with diesel technology" and is "waiting for the right time" to launch it. The diesel variants are being prepared in a hurry as demand for petrol cars have fallen to a worrisome extent.
Despite having a fancy sticker price and a Toyota logo, the Liva only garnered 4k bookings in the first month of launch. The lack of diesel engine has not hurt the Etios sedan, but over the next few months Toyota will feel the pinch of not having the diesel.
With the festive season almost here, car sales are bound to rise and the more popular choice will be diesel cars. Toyota will instill a new lease a life into the Etios twins with the diesel engines. There's no doubt in our minds that the diesel Etios will take the fight closer to the new Swift and give it an edge over the Honda Brio.
