Toyota Innova launched in India

BY OUR AUTOMOBILES CORRESPONDENT

24 Feb 2005: The Toyota Innova was launched in India by Toyota Kirloskar Motors today.

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The MPV will be available in both petrol and diesel versions. There will be a total of 5 versions in seven colours.

The petrol Innova features a 2.0 Litre [1988cc VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - intelligence) engine that generates 100kW (136PS) @ 5600 rpm of power and a torque of 182Nm (18.6kg-m) @ 4000rpm.

The diesel Toyota Innova comes with a common rail diesel engine (CRDI) for decent  performance and high fuel efficiency. This 2.5 Litre (2494 cc) engine specially tuned for Indian conditions, generates 75kW (102PS) at 3600 rpm of power and 200 Nm/ 1400-3400 rpm torque.

The base petrol version of the Toyota Innova will cost Rs 6,82,000 while the base diesel version will cost Rs 7,42,000.

The Innova will cost Rs 9.43 lakh with the 2000 cc VVTi petrol version ex-showroom New Delhi and the top diesel version of the Innova will cost Rs 10.03 lakh in Delhi.

Toyota Kirloskar Motors plans to sell 45,000 units fo the Toyota Innova in this calendar year, and expects sales of 4,500 units in the first month of launch.

The company has said that the Toyota Innova will compete against the Chevrolet Tavera and the Mahindra Scorpio.

That is yet to be seen. The Chevrolet Tavera and the Mahindra Scorpio are both priced much below the new Innova, and both may slash their prices further if it proves that the Innova will be a threat to them. The Tavera and the Scorpio are quite popular in the MPV segment in India, with the t\Mahindra Scorpio doing exceptionally well. While Toyota had a success in India with the now discontinued Qualis, whether Toyota will be able to repeat the performance with the much higher priced Innova is unclear.

Toyota officials said that the Innova is one of five models that have been designed as part of the IMV (innovative international multi-purpose vehicle) project, launched in September 2002. Innova would be produced at Toyota Kirloskar Motor's plants in India. Toyota is introducing five different variants of Innova in 2.0 litre petrol and 2.5 litre diesel in seven colours. Innova is being simultaneously launched in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.

BY OUR AUTOMOBILES CORRESPONDENT