Toyota first launched the Innova in 2004 as a replacement for the popular Quails. The MPV was an instant hit much due to the aggressive pricing, ability to seat seven people in comfort and premium feel. Toyota also upped the style quotient and premium levels in the Innova with the recent facelifts which saw a new grille, alloys and bumpers. The pricing of the Innova has been gradually increased from Rs. 8 lakhs to almost Rs. 18 lakhs for the top Z variant.
However over the years nothing much has changed about the Innova’s basic shape accept for minor facelifts and the MPV slowly started to show its age specially amid increasing competition lower priced MPVs and SUVs. After serving the markets for 11 years Toyota has finally unveiled the New Innova in Indonesia making it even premium compared to the outgoing model.
Based on the New Hilux platform, the New Innova retains the basic MPV shape of the current Innova but the design is revolutionary. There are new double barrel projector headlamps with LEDS which are flanked by the large hexagonal front grille. The side profile gets restyled glass area with kinks sharply upwards after the rear doors.
The rear gets a redesigned tail gate with inverted L shaped tail lamps with LED lights and a new first in segment Smart close door which automatically closes the tail gate door of the Innova once you finished with your work in the boot.
The interiors are a very big change from the existing Innova with dual tone treatment and good amount of faux aluminium giving it a very premium appeal and top end variants should get woodgrain treatment and Leather upholstery as well.
Toyota is expected to pack in plenty of equipment ranging from dual zone climate control, LED mood lighting, cooled glove box, all power up and down power windows, and 7.0 inch touch screen infotainment system on all variants. While the top end Q variant will benefit from a larger 8.0 inch touch screen with HDMi support and in car wifi and smart key, entry, 17 inch Alloy rims, shark fin antenna and fog lamps. However these features are from the Indonesian spec model, we will have to wait and see what features Toyota gets to India.
The New Innova has a length of 4,735mm long, 1,830mm wide and 1,795mm in height. The Innova is also 60mm wider, 45mm taller, and 180mm longer than the current Innova while the wheelbase of 2,750mm remains identical.
Power for the New Innova comes from brand new GD series family of engines which replace the older KD series of engines internationally. A brand new 147 bhp 2.4 litre diesel engine and a 2.0 litre VVT –I Petrol engine with five speed manual or six speed automatic transmission options for both engines.
Toyota has also paid deep attention to the safety levels in the New Innova. The car comes with new ladder frame chassis has been reinforced for extra strength and rigidity, All variants of the new Innova get ABS, EBD and three airbags as standard, while the top end Q variant packs in Vehicle stability control, Hill start assist, and a pair of side and curtain airbags to the list.
The new model has gone several notches higher with a fresh new design, powerful new engines, premium new interiors that are packed with features many of which are first in class and not yet seen on a passenger vehicle of this class yet.
Toyota’s Innova has made a segment of its own and has been a leader ever since its launch. The new Innova is going to take this bar further and we can expect the top variant to be priced close to Rs. 20 lakhs on road.
Toyota should get the Innova to the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo in February and we hear there is a cheaper cross version of the new Innova coming too… Excited..?
