Toyota To Launch 3 New SUVs In India: All You Need To Know
Toyota is a brand that needs no introduction to the Indian audience. They are known for their reliable and rock-solid engines. Toyota currently has plans to introduce more models to the Indian market. At the moment, Toyota plans to launch three SUVs in India within the span of two years. This includes their first-ever electric SUV for India.
Urban Electric SUV
The first SUV on the list is going to be the electric SUV from Toyota in India. It is, in fact, a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki eVX. Maruti is testing the electric SUV extensively, and it has been spotted on the road several times. The eVX is going to be an electric SUV and will use a heavily localized 27PL skateboard platform, which is likely to be built in Gujarat.
The same platform will be used in the upcoming Urban Electric SUV from Toyota. Based on the details currently available online, Toyota’s EV will have different styling but will remain identical to the eVX production version mechanically. This is going to be the second product built from scratch under the Toyota & Suzuki partnership.
The Maruti Suzuki eVX is expected to launch in the market sometime towards the end of 2024 or early 2025, and Toyota’s version of the electric SUV is expected to hit the market in the second half of 2025. The SUV is expected to have a 60 kW battery pack, a dual-motor setup, and offer a driving range of around 500-550 km.
Toyota Fortuner Hybrid
The Fortuner has remained undefeated and has been ruling its segment for years now. Earlier this year, Toyota launched the diesel mild-hybrid version of the Fortuner in South Africa. Soon after the launch, there were reports of Toyota bringing the same technology to India. The MHEV version of the Fortuner is expected to be launched in the market sometime this year.
Internationally, the mild-hybrid variant of the Fortuner is offered with the diesel automatic version. However, in India, Toyota might offer it with both manual and automatic versions. The 48V mild-hybrid system is paired with the 2.8-liter turbocharged engine that generates 201 PS and 500 Nm of peak torque.
The hybrid version of the Fortuner comes with a 48V electric motor or generator, which replaces the alternator in the vehicle. Other than this, there is a DC-DC converter and a 48V battery pack. The electric motor charges the battery pack while the vehicle is in motion, and at lower speeds, the electric motor provides assistance which improves the drivability and also prevents the engine from stressing too much. As the engine is always in a relaxed state at lower RPMs, it reflects better fuel economy. This is the same technology already seen in Maruti petrol cars in India.
7-seater Hyryder
Toyota’s entry-level SUV, the Hyryder, has been doing well in the market. The manufacturer, along with Maruti Suzuki, plans to introduce a three-row version of the Hyryder in the Indian market. The seven-seater version will compete with cars like the Hyundai Alcazar, Kia Carens, and Tata Safari in the segment.
Maruti will also introduce a seven-seater version of their Grand Vitara in the market. Apart from the extended length of the vehicle, we expect to see cosmetic changes to the exterior and slightly redesigned interiors. The Toyota SUV will be powered by the same 1.5-liter NA petrol engine, which we feel might be underpowered for a seven-seater SUV. It remains to be seen if the manufacturer will offer this SUV with both strong hybrid and mild hybrid versions in the market. We are also not sure if the seven-seater Hyryder will get the AWD feature or not.