The Levin is alive! Toyota has launched the new Levin, which is based on the 11th generation Corolla aka Vios to us, to the Chinese market in the Bejing Motor Show. The Toyota Levin, pronounced as the “Lei Ling” for the Chinese market and made by GAC-Toyota, is part of Toyota’s rapid expansion plan in China’s growing market. This also marks the return of the “Levin” moniker that is usually associated with Toyota’s past legend, the AE86. The China-based Levin does resemble with the Corolla from the US market.
Chinese reports also revealed that the new Levin will have engine options consisting of either the 1.6-litre or 1.8-litre petrol engines, mated with either a five-speed manual or CVT transmission. The 1.8-litre and CVT transmission will be the similar 1.8E trim of Corolla Altis sold in the Malaysia market. A report from Reuters claimed that the hybrid version of the Corolla and Levin saloons were in the pipeline for the Chinese market next year, and will carry made-in-China batteries, hybrid transaxles and inverters.
So unlike the ‘sideways’ loving Levin we all used to know, this Levin is basically an 11th-Gen Corolla with tree-hugger credentials. However, the Levin with edgier and funkier lines that is economical and environmentally friendly should attract younger buyers in China. Feast your eyes on the images here and do tell us what you think of the ‘new’ Levin in the comments below.
[Source: Chinaautoweb]
