Toyota India’s car roadmap for the next couple of years

Snapshot – Toyota Kirloskar Motors Limited has two hot sellers, the Innova MPV and the Fortuner SUV. In the short term that span the next couple of years, Toyota plans to focus on its hot sellers rather than the also-rans such as the Etios sedan and Liva hatchback. This means that the Japanese automaker would neither be refreshing the Etios twins in a hurry nor bring in a compact SUV to grab a share of the sub-10 lakh rupee SUV pie. Here’s Toyota’s new car line up for the next couple of years.

Limited Edition Innova

The replacement to Toyota’s best seller in India, the Innova MPV, will arrive in 2016. Until then, Toyota will motor on with regular refreshes for the Innova, which means cosmetic makeovers and limited edition treatments every now and then. Until the arrival of the new model, the Innova will continue to operate with its current engine-gearbox set up that consists of the 2.5 liter D-4D unit (100 Bhp-200 Nm) and a 5 speed manual transmission.

Fortuner with new engine and facelifts

Like the Innova, the Fortuner SUV will get periodic refreshes to keep it interesting until the new generation model arrives and takes over. A new 2.5 liter D-4D turbo diesel engined Fortuner will join the SUV’s line up shortly and so will a top-end 4X4 Automatic variant. The smaller engined Fortuner will sit at the bottom of the Fortuner line up and is meant to attract more buyers. On the other hand, the 4X4 Automatic variant is a top-end model meant to lure enthusiasts who want the utility of the 4X4 system and the convenience of an automatic gearbox.

Next Generation Innova MPV

The all-new 2016 Innova MPV has already begun testing in India. The 2016 Innova will arrive into India in early 2016. The 2016 Innova will be larger and pricier than the outgoing model. The larger dimensions will translate into more room for the passengers. Expect the 2.5 liter D-4D turbo diesel engine of the MPV to gain a variable geometry turbocharger and higher outputs of 143 Bhp-343 Nm. A ladder frame chassis, a rear wheel drive layout and a 7 seat configuration will be retained on the 2016 Innova. Upmarket interiors and new features will be added.

Next Generation Fortuner SUV

The 2017 Fortuner, based on the next-generation Hilux platform, has been spotted testing in Thailand. The luxury SUV will make its India debut in 2016, at that year’s Auto Expo. In terms of changes, the 2017 Fortuner is expected to gain new looks inspired by the 2015 Hilux’s design. New interiors and additional features are the other expected changes on India’s best selling luxury SUV. The 2017 Fortuner is expected to get pricier than the current model due to the additional features and other incremental changes.

Vios Sedan

The Vios sedan is a C-Segment offering that Toyota sells in South East Asian car markets. Based on the Yaris hatchback, the Vios is sufficiently upmarket to take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and the Honda City sedans. Come 2017, Toyota has plans of introducing the Vios sedan in India, as a car that sits in between the Etios and the Corolla Altis. The Vios is expected to be made available with petrol and turbo diesel engine options. Toyota won’t want to repeat the mistakes that it made with the Etios and Liva twins, both of which lack appeal. The Vios, on the other hand, is expected to reek of quality in order to re-establish Toyota’s reputation as a purveyor of of high quality, premium automobiles in India.

Via Team-BHP