New Toyota Innova launched

Toyota Kirloskar Motors launched a facelifted of its multi purpose vehicle, the Toyata Innova, in India. The estimated introductory price tag for various versions of vehicle would lie in between 7.66 lakhs to 11.06 lakhs. We bring you the initial details and a few photos here.

“We are focused on constantly upgrading our products based on customer feedback. The new Innova with its additional features will attract customers from both the MTV and Sedan segments,” Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) deputy managing director (marketing) Sandeep Singh told reporters. (We think he meant MPV – there is NO autmobile segment called MTV in India.)

Photo: New Toyota Innova interior

What he did not mention was that the recent launch of the Mahindra Xylo has the potential to take the game away from Toyota India. The Xylo is priced lower than comparable Innova models. On the other hand, the Xylo has one glaring deficiency – its exterior design. The vehicle looks like the cross-bred son of a Scorpio and Innova, and it has been a bit difficult to like. The new refreshed Innova on the other hand is definitely an improvement.

Photo: New facelifted Innova

From a distance, the Innova still looks like, well, the Innova. But get closer, and you notice the changes. There is a new bulbous front bumper, clear lens headlamps, fog lights and front skirt. The top-end versions include alloy wheels and chrome detailing for tail lights. The new front grille is a clear improvement in looks – something that would look smashing on a dark-coloured Innova. We Indians are proven to have a soft spot for chrome grilles anyway, going by the number of facelifted models which are usually just a new chrome grille added on.

Interiors also have gone through a minor redesign. The new Toyota Innova will flaunt its wooden panel, climate control AC, steering-wheel audio controls and an in-dash CD-changer.

There is no mechanical change and will be akin to its predecessor with a 2.5 liter diesel and 5 speed transmission. The suspension aggregates remains the same.

The new Toyota Innova comes in with three new colors- Grayish Black, Grayish Silver and Bluish Silver.

New facelifted Toyota Innova – prices

Innova E – Rs. 7.66 Lakhs
Innova G – Rs. 8.70 Lakhs
Innova GX – Rs. 9.45 Lakhs
Innova VX – Rs. 11.06 Lakhs

The company also plans to launch a CNG variant of the Innova which will be costlier by 90,000 than other variants.

TKM which is a joint association between the Japanese Toyota Motors and India Kirloskar Motors has launched the car in both petrol and diesel variants.

Since its launch in 2005 Toyota has managed to sell 160,000 units and holds 36% market share in the MPV segment. But in 2008 the segment witnessed a negative growth of 13% selling 44,000 units.

“The company is expecting the revival of the automobile market by the middle of this fiscal, and holds firm its target of achieving 10 percent market share by 2015” said the Managing director Hiroshi Nakagawa.
The launch of Toyota’s small car by 2010 will boost the company’s market share, he added. Toyota last year announced its plans to launch a compact in the Indian market by 2010.