Toyota to launch Innova in India next year

Toyota Kirloskar Motor plans to launch Innova, a passenger car cum MUV, in India next year. Early this month Toyota Motor Co introduced the vehicle as Kjang Innova in Indonesia early this month.

Sources in the company say before its launch here the vehicle would be modified to suit Indian conditions.

Innova is part of the international multi-purpose vehicle platform (IMV), for which Toyota-Kirloskar Auto Parts is supplying transmission parts.

The launch of crossover vehicle Ford Fusion seems to have set the company thinking on the lines of launching a similar vehicle. Sources said internal surveys conducted by the company among car has revealed that the Indian market is more than ready for a crossover vehicle. The performance is likely to be keenly monitored by the company before it finalises plans to launch the Innova here.

Sources say Innova is likely to be priced in the same range as the Fusion.

The Innova, whose positioning is that of a lifestyle vehicle, is likely to hit sales of MPV Qualis Toyota's largest selling vehicle in India. The Qualis launched four years ago was positioned as a lifestyle car but is now being used more as a taxi.

According to the company, the Kijang Innova, a product on the IMV platform, is a revolutionary concept of globalising production.

Innova is one of five IMV models developed by Toyota internationally. The first product to be launched on this platform was pick-up van, the Hilux Vigo, launched in Thailand in August this year.

The Kjang Innova recently introduced in Indonesia has elegant and stylish exteriors. Interiors are spacious with a luxurious touch being provided with a wooden panel dashboard and a tilt leather steering wheel. It is incorporated with other functions, like an intermittent wiper with time adjuster, auto air conditioner and integrated real blower, 2 DIN AM/FM Cassette / CD Indash with MPV3, flexible seat arrangement and plenty of storage spaces.

The Innova, available in petrol and diesel versions, is powered by a 2 litre VVT-i (variable valve timing with intelligent) petrol engine and the newly developed 2.5 litre D-4D (Direct 4-Stroke, Turbo common rail) diesel engine, Innova also has a fuel efficient engine and provides good maneuverability and excellent handling.

Innova uses double wishbone with coil spring for front suspension, while a 4-link and lateral rod with coil spring is used for rear suspension. The gate-type shift automatic transmission is fitted with Super ECT (electronic controlled transmission) for smooth and responsive gear shifting on climbing and downhills road condition. It is also fitted with an Optitron meter with LED technology with a multi-information display.

The Innova's exterior design is far more stylish than the Qualis while the cabin inside is more spacious with a wooden panel dashboard and a tilt leather steering wheel. 

Toyota Motor is planning to produce its IMV models Indonesia, Thailand, Argentina and South Africa.