Toyota Yaris to be discontinued this month, rebadged Ciaz replacement?
The Toyota Yaris is expected to be discontinued this month. Toyota hasn't announced a replacement for this sedan, which adds fuel to rumours that a badge-engineered Maruti Suzuki Ciaz may replace the Yaris in the Indian market. Recent trademark filings suggest that the new sedan will be called the Belta.
The Toyota Yaris was launched in India in April 2018 but has never really caught the fancy of buyers. The high price was probably the biggest deterrent but newer competition like the new-gen Honda City and the facelifted Hyundai Verna have exasperated its situation. Prices for the Yaris currently start from Rs 9.16 lakh and go up to Rs 14.6 lakh, ex-showroom. Powering it is a 1.5-litre petrol engine generating 107PS and 140 Nm, which pairs with a 7-step CVT or 6-speed manual.
As for the sedan expected to replace the Yaris, the Toyota Belta should follow the pattern set by the Glanza and Urban Cruiser before it. Expect the Belta to see minimal exterior changes like a new grille and Toyota badging. The Belta should be offered in three trims, equivalent to the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz's Delta, Zeta and Alpha variants. Pricing may see a minor hike over the Ciaz(Rs 10 to 15k) but the features list should remain largely identical to the Maruti, although the Toyota should come with a more extensive warranty package.
Prices for the Ciaz's Delta variant start from Rs 9.16 lakh and go up to Rs 11.50 lakh for the Alpha AT. Powering it is the 1.5-litre K-Series engine that develops 105PS and 138Nm. While the manual gearbox is a five-speed option, the automatic is a four-speed torque converter. Like the Glanza and Urban Cruiser nameplates, the Belta is an older model name that is being revived in India by Toyota. The name was seen in the mid-2000s on the sedan version of the contemporary Yaris in the Japanese market.