Toyota Shows A Full Range Of Cars Including The BEV And 2020 Yaris At Tokyo

• The BEV is confirmed to make its way to India. However, the timeline is yet to be revealed.
• Toyota’s next-gen Yaris is unlikely to come to India, especially in its hatchback form.
• The GranAce MPV packs a host of comforts as well as modern tech.
• The LQ Concept is Toyota’s glimpse into its future autonomous tech.
• The Mirai Concept is essentially the next-gen Mirai with a host of improvements inside-out.
• A variety of wacky mobility concepts were also showcased by Toyota.

Toyota, one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, always goes big at the Tokyo Motor Show with a variety of concepts and production-ready cars. And its presence at this year’s edition of the show is no different. The Japanese carmaker has unveiled a range of vehicles at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, under the theme ‘Play the Future’. To begin with, we have the cute and ultra-compact BEV electric vehicle (EV) which -- surprise, surprise -- is about to make its way to India. Conspicuous by its absence was the Rise compact SUV. However, we did find its platform cousin, the Rocky at the Daihatsu pavillion. Here’s a look at all the new cars Toyota has presented this time.

BEV

Toyota showcased the BEV, or Battery Electric Vehicle, at the Tokyo Motor Show. And that’s not all, we now know that this tiny EV is coming to India. However, the timeline for its arrival is yet to be known. The BEV is a short-distance vehicle targeted at elderly people and new drivers. It offers a maximum driving range of 100km with a top speed of up to 60kmph. 

It is 2490mm long, 1290mm wide and 1560mm high and can seat two people. Toyota is yet to reveal detailed specifications of the electric motor and the battery. However we know that it gets a charging time of around five hours. Since Toyota is not attending the upcoming Auto Expo 2020, don’t expect to see the BEV there.

2020 Yaris

Hot off its reveal, the new Yaris made its debut in the flesh at the Tokyo Motor Show. It is based on the TNGA platform and sports a chic design along with a hybrid setup. Powertrain options include a 1.5-litre and a 1.0-litre engine. Toyota is yet to reveal detailed specifications of both engines but we do know that the 1.0-litre engine will be mated to a CVT that drives the front wheels. The 1.5-litre Dynamic Force Engine will come mated to a 6-speed manual (FWD) or a direct-shift CVT (FWD and AWD). The hybrid setup also uses the 1.5-litre engine coupled with an E-Four electric four-wheel drive system. 

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Design highlights include a large grille, dual-tone paint scheme and wide rear haunches. Inside the Yaris features an ‘eyes on the road’ interior design approach. It features a high-mounted display and a head-up display to reduce the driver’s eye movement. The cabin follows a clutter-free design theme with increased storage space. Feature highlights include Advanced Park automated self parking system, tiltable front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Other highlights include smart device link, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic high beam, Toyota Safety Sense, and lane tracing assist.

The Yaris will go on sale in Japan starting February 2020. It is unlikely that the new Yaris will come to India, especially in hatchback body style. Currently, the Yaris sedan is priced between Rs 8.65 lakh and 14.07 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

GranAce MPV

The GranAce is a mini MPV that made its world premiere here at the Tokyo Motor Show. It resembles the Granavia and Majestic models that are popular in Australia and Thailand. Its 5300mm long and is offered in a six- and eight-seat configuration. Exterior highlights include twin-lens LED headlights and massive chrome grille with multiple louvres. Interior highlights include sleek colour combinations as well as a wood grain trim. Other elements include Ottoman mechanism and a user-friendly Display Audio System. 

Under the hood, the Granace is powered by a 2.8-litre diesel mill mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The MPV also gets a host of safety kit in the form of Toyota Safety Sense that consists of pre-collision safety system capable of detecting pedestrians. It also gets safety equipment like Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Parking Support Brakes (Stationary Objects). These help reduce and/or mitigate damage from collisions during low-speed driving in parking lots, etc. While there is no word yet on when it will make it to India, we hope it is soon.

Copen GR Sport

The Copen GR Sport is a small Kei sports car which is much needed in the Indian market. The tiny tyke gets tweaks from Toyota’s racing division with top-shelf parts. It is powered by a 660cc 3-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 63PS and 92Nm of torque. Since the regulations are strict,  it makes the same amount of power as the Daihatsu Copen on which it is based on. However, that didn’t stop Toyota from tinkering the chassis and handling.

It weighs in at 900kg and makes use of a 5-speed manual or a CVT sending power to the front wheels.   Other tweaks include a different set of dampers, updated spring rates, power steering, a new front brace, and a redesigned center brace. The Copen GR also gets a cosmetic tweaks in the form of redesigned bumpers, grille, a new diffuser and a set of BBS forged-aluminum wheels with GR Sport branding on the front and side.

LQ Concept

Toyota gave a glimpse into the future of autonomous mobility with the LQ concept. It is a Level 4 autonomous self-driving vehicle with its main highlight being Yui, an AI-powered agent. This AI is capable of learning the driver’s emotional and physical state to control aspects of the car such as music, seat functions, air conditioning, and fragrances.  

This concept follows the philosophy of "Learn, Grow, Love." The carmaker aims to use AI-tech like Yui to build the relationship between vehicle and driver by learning from and responding to individual preferences and needs.

In addition to this, Toyota also announced the Toyota Yui Project Tours 2020. It is a public test-drive event in which the  public will have the opportunity to register for a chance to be selected to experience the LQ and the Yui AI. The selection process will be done via the use of a smartphone app in advance to provide their interests and preferences. The selected participants will join a test drive of the LQ with Yui AI-tech.

Mirai Concept

Just days after Toyota revealed the radical Mirai Concept, it has finally made its way to the Tokyo Motor Show. It is essentially a next-generation of the Mirai sedan. Scheduled for a late 2020 launch starting from Japan to North America and Europe, the next-gen Mirai is more of an eco-car with a host of improvements in FCEV technology.

The upgrades include a better fuel cell system performance, bigger storage capacity that results in a 30 per cent increase in driving range. It has also been redesigned to meet Toyota’s TNGA platform to combine performance and a sleek and elegant exterior design. 

Exterior highlights include elegant proportions, sleek, taut bodywork and 20-inch diameter wheels.  Interior highlights in the Mirai include a a 12.3-inch wide screen on the center console and a five-seat configuration. 

Electric Concepts

The Toyota Booth played host to a variety of electric autonomous mobility solutions like the E-Pallete, Micro Pallete, as well as wacky solutions that include the E-Trans, mobile chargers, e-care medical exam tech as well as an e-broom (what??). Now that is an elaborate pavillion.