Next-gen Toyota Innova spied in India

With the Honda Mobilio seven-seater due to make its debut on July 23rd, its rivals are fast gearing up to take on this Honda onslaught. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is being offered with heavy discounts (read here) and has also been introduced in a new limited edition model (read here). Nissan has given its MPV, the Nissan Evalia a shot in the arm with a mild makeover and better features.

Lastly, the segment leader - Toyota Kirloskar Motor, is reading the next-generation Toyota Innova which has been caught testing in India for the very first time. The 2016 Toyota Innova test mule was spotted close to Toyota’s manufacturing facility near Bangalore, Karnataka.

The 2016 Toyota Innova spy images reveal that the next-gen model will receive significant changes to the exterior styling to make the aging model look more up to beat and modern. It’ll come with brand new front styling inspired by its sibling Toyota Fortuner SUV. So, the 2016 Toyota Innova will get a taller and flatter front design giving it a more robust appearance coupled with a higher front grille, larger headlights and a new bumper. 

It carries forward a similar silhouette, which many Indians can get enough of, but there will be visible changes made on the body panels with new creases and shoulder line. Also new is a sharper D-pillar design and stylish new rear quarter glass, which give the 2016 Toyota Innova a completely different side profile. The rear end will feature a new multi-layered bootlid, new tail lamps and rear bumper.

Interiors design is also said to have been improved for creature comfort and would be more premium than before. Toyota is still working on the features to be included in the new Innova for India, but we can expect it to be better equipped than before and would include a redesigned dashboard, a touch-screen centre console and use of better materials to make the cabin more upmarket and justify the price of the 2016 Toyota Innova.

Underpinnings of the next-generation 2016 Toyota Innova will still be based on the ladder-and-frame chassis but extra attention has been paid to make the ride more plaint and comfortable for the passengers. Though, there is no official statement on the powertrain yet, but Toyota is considering offering the 2016 Innova with new, more efficient engines and also an automatic transmission option. Moreover, with the new model Toyota is looking at carrying forward the legacy set by the current Innova in terms of durability, efficiency and ease of maintenance. 

The new 2016 Toyota Innova is expected to be unveiled in the second half of 2015. We’ll keep you updated with the latest developments on the MPV... watch this space.

Image courtesy: Team-BHP