3 BIG Toyota Launches To Look Forward To This Year
Toyota is a brand known for offering reliable cars. While Toyota offers several models internationally, in India, we currently have limited options. While they do have hatchbacks and compact SUVs, most of them are actually rebadged Suzuki products. Here, we have a list of three Toyota products that are expected to be launched in India this year.
Fortuner MHEV
Toyota launched the mild-hybrid diesel version of the Fortuner in the South African market. Soon after the launch, reports suggested that the same technology would be introduced in the Indian version as well. The MHEV version of the Fortuner uses the same 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine. This engine is paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system that helps improve low-end torque and enhance fuel efficiency.
The 2.8-litre engine generates 201 PS and 500 Nm of peak torque. Internationally, it is available only with an automatic transmission, but we assume that Toyota will offer it with both manual and automatic versions in India.
Hyryder 7-Seater Hybrid
The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a five-seater compact SUV that Toyota and Maruti Suzuki jointly developed a few years ago. The Maruti version is called the Grand Vitara, while Toyota calls it the Hyryder. Maruti is now working on a seven-seater version of the Grand Vitara, which is expected to be launched in the market later this year. Months after the launch of Maruti’s seven-seater SUV, Toyota’s version of the same is expected to arrive in the market as well.
The Toyota Hyryder is currently offered with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1.5-litre strong hybrid petrol engine. The regular petrol engine is a four-cylinder unit that generates 101 Bhp and 136 Nm of peak torque. This engine is available with both manual and automatic transmission options. The strong hybrid version of the Hyryder gets a three-cylinder engine paired with a strong hybrid system that generates 115 PS and 141 Nm of peak torque.
The upcoming seven-seater version of the Hyryder is likely to come with a hybrid engine option, as the regular petrol engine is not very powerful. The seven-seater version will be heavier, and the engine might feel underpowered. The hybrid version will be a safer bet, as it would offer decent power while also being fuel-efficient.
Urban Cruiser EV
Maruti showcased its first-ever EV, the eVitara, in India at the Auto Expo this year. Like other projects, this EV was also developed jointly with Toyota, and we expect Toyota’s version to be launched in the market as well. Both EVs will be manufactured at Suzuki’s plant in Gujarat. Toyota aims to sell its version primarily in international markets.
Toyota has already showcased an almost production-ready version of the EV internationally. Just like eVitara, the Urban Cruiser EV will come with two battery pack options: a 49 kWh and a 61 kWh battery pack. The larger battery version will get an AWD option. However, if Toyota launches this SUV in India, it is likely to skip the AWD feature.