2016 Auto Expo: Toyota to showcase new Innova Crysta and Vios

The 2016 iteration of India’s favorite MPV the Innova has already been launched in Indonesia and is set to make its Indian debut at the 2016 Auto Expo. The new Innova is built on Toyota’s new Toyota New Global Architecture or TNGA for short and it will share the platform with the new generation Fortuner as well. It will be lighter than the outgoing model. It looks rather premium with its sweptback headlamps, flared wheel arches and DRLs. The tail lamps are also new and car will sit on 17-inch alloys. The premium feel has been carried over to the interior as well and features a dual tone layout with silver accents and leather upholstery. It will also feature climate control, voice command, Bluetooth connectivity and an 8in touchscreen infotainment system.

It will probably be powered by a downsized version of the 2.4 GD engine and if reports are to be believed Toyota might even get a petrol variant following the Supreme Court’s order of banning sales of diesel cars over 2000cc.

The other car to watch out at the Toyota stall is the Vios, Toyota’s potential option in the C-segment. There have been various reports and spy shots of the Vios being tested on our roads so we have good reason to believe that it will be launched in India even if post some delay.

Aesthetically, the car looks like a scaled down version of the Altis. Inside, you can expect a well laid out dash with possibly a touchscreen infotainment system in the centre of the dashboard and on the top of the line variants will most likely feature steering mounted controls, leather upholstery and climate control among others. The Vios is reported to come with a choice of two engines, a 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.6-litre diesel engine or it could even get the frugal 1.4-litre diesel from the Corolla. At 4,410mm in length and 1,700mm in width, the car is significantly larger than the Etios and will slot above the most affordable Toyota sedan and below the Corolla Altis.

But the thing here is that Toyota will be trying to penetrate a market where cars like the Honda City, VW Vento, Skoda Rapid and the Maruti-Suzuki Ciaz are already present. So Toyota will have to offer features, comfort, safety and frugality, all at a competitive price.

Though the new Fortuner and the new generation Prius are not yet confirmed for the Auto Expo, their new generation models could be present at the Toyota stall for more aesthetic appeal. And truth be told the Fortuner would be coming to India sooner or later and the Auto Expo would be the perfect stage to attract potential customers.