We’re about at the halfway point of 2025, and the much-awaited next-generation Toyota Vios is still nowhere in sight.

The new DNGA-based sedan has been plying the streets of our neighboring countries since 2022. But until now, the AC100 Vios is yet to set foot on Philippine soil. This latest development, however, could be seen as a sign of things to come.

Toyota Motor Philippines has received an approval for a passenger vehicle with an engine displacement of 1329cc. A quick google search led us to the 1.3-liter 1NR-VE Dual VVT-i four-cylinder engine powering low-spec variants of the Avanza, and you guessed it, the Toyota Vios.

Last year, a similar approval was applied by the brand for the current-generation Vios. But now, the new approval no longer indicates the chassis code of the model.

The Vios AC100 is bigger in size, and features a more upscale interior compared to the one it’s replacing. In other markets, the model is available in either a 1.2, 1.3, or a 1.5-liter variant. In Thailand and Malaysia, the model is already being used for one-make races under Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Should Toyota get another regulatory approval for a 1.5-liter engine, then we could get a much clearer picture with their intentions for the all-new Vios. We’ll be sure to report about that once it happens, so stay tuned for updates.