The Toyota-Suzuki alliance continues to reap benefits with the latest offering now set to be introduced in South Africa. Called as Vitz, the Suzuki Celerio-based hatchback will come as a replacement for the Toyota Agya which was the cheapest Toyota in the South African market.
This replacement will come 3 years after the Agya (which was based on the Daihatsu Ayla) was introduced in South Africa. With this, Toyota revives the Vitz nameplate that has roots stretching back to 1998. The Vitz name was dropped with the launch of 4th gen Yaris hatchback in 2019, but now it seems to be making a comeback.
The new Vitz was unveiled at Toyota’s State of Motor Industry (SOMI) event, held in Johannesburg. South Africa is the first country to get Toyota Vitz as a rebranded Celerio. Bear in mind Suzuki Celerio is already available in the South African market whereas the price of the new Toyota Vitz will be slightly pricier than the Celerio but likely fall in the same ballpark.
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Toyota already sells Starlet (rebadged Suzuki Baleno), Urban Cruiser (rebadged Suzuki Vitara Brezza), and Rumion (rebadged Suzuki Ertiga) in South Africa, all of these are borrowed from Maruti Suzuki and are shipped from India. Based on the latest generation Celerio, the new Toyota Vitz apart from badges is nothing different than its donor model.
Under the hood, the Vitz will use the same K10C naturally aspirated 1.0L three-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 66 hp and 89 Nm paired to a 5-speed manual or an AMT gearbox just as the Celerio. A formal launch in South Africa is confirmed for the 2nd quarter of 2023.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
