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Toyota Kijang Innova in India any time now!
Click here to read the latest update: Farewell Toyota Qualis, welcome Toyota Innova
Toyota rolls out its latest minivan / MUV Kijang innova in
Indonesia. It is expected to hit Indian markets in a few
months. Dancewithshadows braces for the thunderbolt.
BY OUR AUTOMOBILES CORRESPONDENT
The temptation to compare the newborn to the grandfather is
only human, despite being aware that comparisons are odious.
But one can’t help comparing the hot-off-the block Toyota
Innova MPV to its best-seller grand-dad in India, Qualis.
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The Toyota Kijang Innova is not here, yet. It is supposed to
roll out in India by March 2005. Till the real rollout
happens, we can only feast over the details. Here goes:
Toyota's fifth generation Kijang MUV, (Qualis was the 3rd) rolled
out in Indonesia last month. From there, this MUV is expected to be
exported to several countries. It is not clear whether the
model will be produced in India or imported. India may see its
first Toyota Innova Kijang in March 2005.
Expected
to be priced at around the same levels as Qualis, the
value-for-money offered by the new kid on the block is
phenomenal. If you are planning to buy a Qualis or a Tavera,
it would do well to wait for a few months and take a look at a
swanky new Toyota Innova.
Talking about looks, the Toyota Innova is light years ahead of
the Qualis. More a mini-van than an MUV in design, Innova wins hands down in the
looks department unless you are looking for the toughie
Scorpio look. Forget Qualis, the Innova's well-contoured
forward leaning front end and the split grill are ages ahead
of its peers. The looks gel those of an SUV, hatchback and an
MUV. Built on the Innovative Multipurpose vehicle Platform
(ha-there comes the name), the Toyota Innova is made entirely
outside Toyota's Japanese factories.
Innova's styling is very modern and the front looks more
Corolla-ish than an ordinary MPV. The big, uniquely shaped
headlamps and air intakes lend extra personality. The design
has kept extra passenger space and luggage space in mind. The
rear lights are conical. The Innova exudes an overall silky,
flowing feel.
The Toyota Innova interiors are breathtaking and, we believe,
trendsetting. We are convinced that with the right pricing and
positioning, Toyota is sure to carve out a new niche in the
multi-utility vehicle market here. The
overall interior feel is more that of a luxury car.
The first Toyota Innova rolled out in Indonesia has two
variants; with petrol & diesel version. One has to wait and
see if both will come to India too. Innova comes with engines
in 2000 cc (petrol) and 2500cc. (diesel).
What
happens to the Qualis once Innova takes centre stage? Though a
bestseller, Qualis may have to bow out to its worthy
predecessor. Toyota Kirloskar which makes Qualis in India
doesn’t have scope for more expansion at its plant. Over a
period of time, the ageing Qualis is expected to make way for
the smart youngster.
What will be the competition for this
new MUV from Toyota in India? The other MUVs in the market
currently are the Tata Sumo, Mahindra Scorpio, Chevrolet
Tavera and Toyota's own Qualis. Some might argue that the
Scorpio is an SUV. Okay then. Even though the Chevroelt Tavera
is priced very competitively compared to the Scorpio or the
Qualis, we have not seen too many Indian buyers going for this
vehicle yet. Which leads to a sneaking suspicion that Indian
MUV buyers may prefer the traditional high-bonnet look for a
vehicle to carry their joint families around in India.
However, if that guess is wrong and the Innova bowls them
over, brilliant.
Some have said that the rear of the
MPV is very similar to the Chevrolet Forrester available in
India now. BS Motoring magazine calls the Innova
a minivan meant for developing economies.
The waiting list for the Chevrolet
Tavera indicates that there is a huge market for a refined MPV
- something more like a family car than the taxi cab that the
Toyota Qualis. If the demand for the Tavera MPV continues and
the demand for the Qualis drops, this is a car Toyota is going
to really need in the Indian car market.
Latest news indicates that the Indian
version of the Innova may come with a 100 bhp unit. If that
truly is the case, then Toyota may have a winner for itself in
the Indian MUV space - especially the promise of pricing at
the Qualis levels holds true.
If early signals are any indication,
await the big splash early next year! Once the new vehicle
rolls out in India, come back for latest updates!
BY OUR AUTOMOBILES CORRESPONDENT
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