The very first spy shots of the production version of the new Toyota Vios testing in China. The new Vios debuted in April on the Shanghai Auto Show, it will be launched on the Chinese car market in the second half of this year.

The new Toyota Vios on the Shanghai Auto Show.

The current Toyota Vios, made in China by the FAW-Toyota joint venture that will also make the new Vios. The current Vios is priced between 75.900 and 123.900 yuan.

Price for the new Vios will be slightly higher, from 90.000 to 130.000 yuan, leaving space for a new cheaper car below the Vios. The new Vios will be available with two engines: a 86hp 1.3 and a new 110hp 1.5 with, mated to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. The 1.3 will only be available with a 5-speed manual. Size of the new Vios: 4410/1700/1475, wheelbase is 2550.

Lower chrome bars of the grille moving into headlights a nice touch. Giant empty black space below bumper is not, giving the Vios a very ugly and kinda half-baked face.

Back more conservative, more Toyota. Rear lights on the large side, today’s fashion is to go small.

First good shot of the interior. Sporty dials. top of the dash in black, lower part in beige. Automatic gearbox here. Materials look all right but the steering wheels loox very cheap.

The Toyota Vios will compete with fine cars such as the Honda Civic sedan and the Volkswagen Lavida sedan, which are both much more popular than the current Vios ever was. The new Vios might steal away a few sales but it seems seriously handicapped by the poorly designed front end.