Next-gen Toyota Innova to make global debut by Diwali this year

Toyota is working on a new generation of Innova MPV. The test mule of the new-gen Innova has been spotted on our Indian roads and in Indonesia. According to Autocar India, the new-gen Innova is expected to make a global debut by Diwali this year and it could launch in India in early 2023.

The 2022 Innova has been codenamed B560 and the manufacturer has already filed a trademark for the “Innova Hycross” nameplate. It will no longer be based on the IMV ladder frame platform which is shared with the Hilux and the Fortuner. Instead, it will be based on a heavily localised version of the TNGA-B platform or DNGA platform. This is the same platform used on the Avanza MPV that is currently on sale in the global markets. The new platform means that the new Innova will finally be front-wheel drive.

While some people would not be happy with Toyota moving to a front-wheel drive layout, the fact is that front-wheel drive vehicles just function better. They are more fuel-efficient than rear-wheel drive vehicles because there is no drivetrain loss. There should be no transmission tunnel because now a driveshaft is not required to transfer the power to the rear wheels. Moreover, the front-wheel drive vehicles are easy and more affordable to produce for the manufacturer. All of this means, that Toyota should be able to price the new-gen Innova competitively in the Indian market. The new-gen Innova will be slightly shorter than the current gen.

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The new-gen Toyota Innova will use a hybrid powertrain. It could be the same engine that is being used on the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. It is a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder unit that runs on the Atkinson cycle. The engine produces 98 Ps of max power and 142 Nm of peak torque. The additional electric motors produce 72 PS of max power and 163 Nm of peak torque. Having said that, you cannot straight up add both the values. Toyota says that the combined power output stands at 122 Ps. The power is transferred only to the front wheels using an e-CVT automatic transmission.

The exterior of the MPV is revamped completely. It is expected to have some design inspiration from the Toyota Fortuner. This means a sleeker design of the headlamps which will have a projector setup. The design now looks a bit squared-off so the new-gen Innova might not look like a straight-up MPV. At the rear, there will be a split tail lamp setup. On the sides, there is a new set of alloy wheels.

The interior will also be redesigned. There will be a new dashboard layout, new instrument cluster, multi-function steering wheel, automatic climate control, revised upholstery and materials, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It could still be offered with captain seats for the second row.

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Via Autocar India