Toyota Innova is a sleek sedan with ground clearance of an MPV. Innova offers excellent ride quality and luxury coupled with versatile space, superior performance, world-class safety, advanced styling, and solid durability. Innova is equipped with Toyota VVT-I petrol engine or the D4D diesel. Both the engines offer matchless performance. The diesel engine uses the latest common-rail technology for superior performance and exceptional fuel efficiency. This 2.5 L (2494 cm3/cc) engine is specially tuned for Indian conditions, and generates 75kW (102PS)/3600 rpm of power and 200Nm/1400-3400rpm torque.
Toyota Innova has state-of-the art safety features. These include Global Outstanding Assessment (GOA) body, SRS airbags, large disc brakes, collapsible steering column, high rigidity frame, and side door impact beams. Toyota’s going for the kill with this modern, comfy and hugely refined MPV. Leapfrog is a game that’s played seriously by global car companies. Every new model is launched with the hope that it will vault over its rivals. However, the leapfrog game isn’t so intense in India, where outdated models thrive, and leaving little incentive for manufacturers to churn out their new models. But even so, bringing out new models that leap a generation forward does make a difference. Take the battle between the Hyundai Sonata and the earlier Honda Accord.
When the Korean firm launched its luxury car, it sold thrice as well as its Japanese rival, but the arrival of the latest Accord last year swung the balance sharply in the Japanese car-maker’s favor, and the new Accord has virtually wiped out the Sonata. GM India dropped the Chevy Tavera smack into Qualis territory, and with good results. The Tavera may not have dented the Qualis’ sales but it’s seen as a generation ahead and is selling like hot cakes with a six-week waiting list. However, the Tavera’s advantage is likely to be short-lived for in March 2005, Toyota is planning a jump into this market which could deliver better results than Anju Bobby George did in Athens.
When Toyota launches the Innova, it will be not one but two generations ahead of the current Qualis. Toyota will simply skip over the fourth-generation Kijang (the Qualis is the third generation and the Innova the fifth) and offer the freshest model from its stable. The all-new Innova mini-van or Multi-Purpose-Vehicle (MPV) made its world debut only last month in Jakarta. It’s based on Toyota’s new IMV (for Innovative Multi-Purpose Vehicle) platform, which will spawn five different models for sale in more than 140 countries. The Innova is the second model on the IMV platform, the first being the the pick-up model, the Hilux Vigo, launched just last month in Thailand. India forms a crucial part of the IMV project, which relies on global production and supply bases that are all outside Japan (unprecedented for Toyota) to produce vehicles and components.
India is responsible for the transmissions for all IMV models in the world, while diesel engines will come from Thailand and petrols from Indonesia. Remarkably, India will begin manufacturing the Innova only six months after its global launch. You simply can’t compare the Qualis to the Innova, which looks like a spaceship alongside the boxy Qualis which we are all familiar with. Also, the Innova is really a mini-van, offering practicality instead of a rugged image. The Innova’s styling, though very modern, breaks no new ground and is a typical Toyota van with styling cues from the Previa and the Corolla Verso. It has huge, wing-shaped lights and a simple, inoffensive grille with the Toyota logo placed on a central wedge, making it impossible to mistake it for anything but a Toyota. The shapely bumper with its pronounced air intake and fogs along with the chin spoiler adds a sporty touch.
The short bonnet and raked windscreen accentuate the cab-forward design of the Innova, designed to maximize passenger space, the long wheelbase and vast doors hinting at the amount of passenger space. In fact, the 2750mm wheelbase is 250mm more than the Qualis. The flush fitting, bonded rear windows add to the smooth, uncluttered and slightly bland look of the Innova — the only interesting features at the rear are the pyramid shaped tail-lights.
Unlike the Qualis, based on an antiquated C-section type chassis, the Innova sits on a rigid tubular chassis with modern mechanicals. The front suspension is made up of double wishbones with coil springs while the rear, though non-independent, gets a relatively sophisticated set-up with four links and a lateral rod with coil springs. The dampers and rear coils are decoupled, allowing flexible packaging. The Innova, available only in two-wheel drive, follows the standard layout of a longitudinally-mounted engine driving the rear wheels.
Step into the interiors and you’re in for a shock. You think you’ve walked into a luxury car by mistake — there’s a plushness you don’t associate with cars in this category. The dashboard with its interesting two-tone and geometric design looks and feels better than a Corolla’s, and the plastics, switches and buttons have a tactile feel comparable to a luxury car. Power window switches come from a common parts bin, shared with the Corolla. The stereo system sits high up on the dashboard, topped by a sleek looking Multi-information Display (MID). Only available on the top-end model, it gives useful information like outside temperature, average fuel consumption, real-time fuel consumption, average speed, elapsed time, range/distance at your fingertips. Also, the high-end version features mock-wood inserts and features like Park Distance Control (PDC), a boon while parking in tight places.
Interior space and comfort are class-leading, and the Innova feels far more spacious than both the Tavera and its sibling, the Qualis. The front seats are pretty generous, with seat- and steering wheel-height adjustment on some models. The thoughtfully designed middle row is placed quite high off the floor, allowing a comfortable seating posture. Though not quite as comfy as the Safari’s middle-row seats, the Innova has plenty of legroom and width for the central passengers.
The rear seats are economy class but compared to its rivals, the Innova excels. The middle and rear seats flip forward, and tilt in all kinds of permutations, typical of other MUVs in this market. What’s unique is a 50:50 split for the rear seats. It adds to the versatility of the Innova, but limits the rear-most seats to two passengers. Toyota might use a single-piece bench for the Indian model so the Innova can be certified an eight-seater.
For Indonesia, the Innova gets a choice of two engines, a 2.5-litre common-rail turbo-diesel and a 2.0-litre petrol. Both are expected in India, the diesel expected to lead sales. The 16-valve, twin-cam diesel engine produces 102bhp and 20.4 kgm of torque, quite modest for a common-rail unit of this size. However, Toyota has traded power for economy and though we never got an opportunity to test the Innova, Toyota claims it is the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class. The automatic version gets additional torque (26.5kgm), which implies that Toyota can tune this engine to suit different applications. No road test was possible, but we were taken for a spin around the Karawang test track. The immediate impression was how silent the diesel motor is. Noise and vibrations are incredibly low and clearly a jump ahead of other diesel MUVs. There didn’t seem to be a lack of power either and with a full load of eager journalists, the Innova managed to canter effortlessly past the 120kph mark. The ride was pretty good for an MPV, but you could feel the lumpiness of the live axle, and the suspension clearly lacked the compliance of a regular car.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is tight-lipped about the Innova’s launch, even though a group of TKM officials, including Vice-chairman Vikram Kirloskar, were present for the line-off ceremony at Karawang. We expect the Innova in India by the end of March 2005 at a price comparable to the Qualis. Toyota officials indicate that the Innova’s manufacturing costs are cheaper than the Qualis, thanks to the huge economies of scale expected from the IMV project (Toyota plans to make 500,000 vehicles on the IMV platform in 2005) and simplicity in manufacturing. The only chink in the Innova’s armour is the shape. Potential SUV/MUV owners may not take to its van-like looks, which lack the tough and rugged image of a Scorpio. However, we have learned that an SUV on the IMV platform is on the way later in 2005 and is expected to look like a mini-Land Cruiser.
Toyota said it was very serious about India, but now we know just how serious. The Toyota Innova is powered by a 2 liter 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC VVT-i engine which is good for 100kW (roughly 135hp) and 182Nm of torque. This is an improvement over Toyota’s previous flagship budget people mover the Toyota user which only has a 1.8 liter engine with no variable valve timing. Some of the features that the 2.0G has are ABS, driver side air bags, front ventilated discs, rear drum brakes, 15 inch alloy rims and a CD player with MP3 support.
The 2.0E model does not have airbags or ABS but everything else is pretty much the same except the trim level with a bit of chrome here and there and better interior. Both the models have those really pretty Optitron meters which I really like! And they both have load-sensing proportioning and bypass valves. Some of you must be wondering what is this “Load-Sensing Proportioning and Bypass Valve (LSP & BV)�?. It’s something mounted to the rear suspension of a vehicle and it senses the weight distribution of the vehicle and automatically varies the amount of hydraullic pressure put on the rear brakes. This helps reduce rear-wheel lock-up during braking.
The most appealing aspect of the Innova after its build, turnout and mechanical hardware has to be the room in the cabin, the flexible nature of the seating system, the practicality aspect of the vehicle and of course the high comfort and luxury levels one can specify on a vehicle of its kind. Large opening doors with well crafted out entry and exit parameters are evident as are the thoughtful touches to the seat backs on the two rear rows, both of which could be made to recline. Also the middle row of seats can also slide fore and aft if the need should arise. If that is not all, the style evident on the exterior is backed up with some of the most pleasing interior treatment, notably in the dashboard and the control layout area. Generous cubby holes abound while the air con system has been devised with blowers directed at occupants on all three rows. A duo-tone trim treatment is adopted and the trim and cloth upholstery is top notch. Air bags for driver and passenger are OE in the top spec V-models while an immobilizer is OE on all three spec versions.
We will have the complete gen on the Innova in our next issue where each and every spec version will be outlined and commented on. The company plans to make a total of 54,000 units of the vehicle in 2005-06 and while the pricing has yet not been revealed, it is thought to be in the band of Rs 6.0 to Rs 8.0 lakh (ex-showroom). The competition, and by that I also mean the likes of the Chevrolet Optra and Skoda Octavia have been warned; the Innova means business, in the nicest possible way of course.
Its trend setting design include sporty and curved mono form design, cutting edge aerodynamics, 3 dimensional front, panoramic windows, semi concealed wiper, etc. Interior of this car is also equipped with surrounding cabin, shift6 and rear console, door bottle holder, mobile charger, glove box, better cargo space, two tone relaxing color interior, adjustable passenger’s and driver’s seats, saddle type headrests, chrome plated door inside handle etc.
Exterior of this car include fog lamps, rear lamps, 3 dimensional grille, superior multi reflector headlamps, towering height etc.
Safety features which always give security to the owner of the car include load sensing promotion valve (LSPV), GOA body, SRS air bags (driver and passenger side), large Disc Brakes, Theft Deterrent System (immobilizer) etc.
It has mainly three models
Innova E
Innova E 2.0L Petrol
Innova E 2.5L Diesel
Innova G
Innova G1 2.0L Petrol
Innova G2 2.5L Diesel
Innova V
Innova V 2.0L Petrol
Innova V 2.5L Diesel
Luxury
D4D (Direct-4 Stroke Diesel Turbo Common rail)
D4D engine technology enables the car to be highly responsive and environment-friendly.
12 Volt Power Outlet
Easy-access, multi purpose power supply in the cabin.
Tilt Steering Wheel
Adjustable height of steering wheel for ultimate comfort in driving.
Integrated Key with Toyota auto alarm (TAA)
Toyota auto Alarm System is integrated with the key for practical use (Types G & V only).
Large Console Box
Large front console can be used for multifunctional storage.
Upper & Lower
Glove Box
Spacious double glove box is useful for extra storage.
Road Test
It looks like UMW Toyota has done it again, with the Innova. Barely a month after its launch, the waiting list is rumored to be 13 months if you put your name on the dotted line right now. It also seems that there have been some conversions wherein many of those Toyota stalwarts who have put their money down for an Avanza have shifted their bookings to the larger Innova.
We got hold of one unit, courtesy of UMW Toyota, and took it to Melaka for a weekend run to check it out. First of all, I must say that the interior space is impressive, and why not? After all, the Innova shares the same base platform as the Toyota Hilux, both models being part of the IMV project, Toyota Motor Corporation’s International Multi-purpose Vehicles exercise to develop and manufacture multi-purpose vehicles outside of Japan. Mooted as a 7-seater, the Innova will easily seat eight people if the need arises. Of course we did not have a family big enough to fill her up, but we carried a whole lot of stuff around in it instead.
The Innova is an easy vehicle to drive despite its large size. From the driver’s seat, you have a commanding view of your surroundings through the generous glass area, and the powerful 2.0 liter engine works well with the 4-speed automatic gearbox to move all of its 1.5 tons without much fuss. Of course it is not a road scorcher; the power is adequate if you are not in a hurry, although it can put on a reasonable turn of speed of anything up to 160 kilometers per hour if given a long enough stretch of road. Anyway, its shape and size is not one that will stir up any visions of race or rally driving. The designers were quite clear in their objectives when coming up with the power and drive train package. It is not made to point and squirt; flooring the accelerator merely makes it change down and make a lot of noise without any appreciable burst of speed. It is better to just apply gentle throttle pressure, and let the inertia be overcome naturally. Understandably, we did not even bother to check out the Innova’s zero to hundred times. However, once it gets up to speed, it is quite easy to maintain a cruising speed of around 140 to 150 kph.
On the road, it is quite well behaved. Straight-line stability is of no issue, and lane change characteristics are quite good actually. The rack and pinion steering arrangement appears to give some benefits here. Unlike the Avanza, the Innova’s gear ratios are better, so you don’t get to hear the engine screaming. Around corners, the Innova handles well for an MPV. The suspension is tuned to be a lot softer than that of the Hilux, and of course the rear coil springs help a lot in this department. The ride is pretty good, although it is a little choppy at times, especially when traversing the wavy stretch between the Cyberjaya exit and Seremban.
Our fuel cost for the trip cost around 22 sen per kilometer, not bad, considering the weight and size of the vehicle. We did not really push the vehicle, so I would venture to say that this figure would be what the average user would experience. I figure the manual transmission model would be about 10 to 15 percent more economical on fuel. In the overall analysis, I find the Innova a practical vehicle for those who need the space and carrying capacity. It looks decent enough with its smooth flowing lines; it won’t win any beauty contests, but it is not ugly either. The engine is powerful enough to serve its purpose while offering good fuel economy for a vehicle of its size, and the interior is comfortable. Priced between RM87,900 and RM102,900, the Innova is good value for your money, especially if you need to ferry people around a lot.
Overall the vehicle has been designed to offer comfortable seating, be it in the front, middle seats and even the rear seats. There is enough space too for a good amount of luggage behind the rear most seats, more or less equivalent to the luggage space in a larger hatchback. The seating offers total fatigue-free ride on long journeys, with its streamlined ergonomics and the excellent driving position one can achieve by adjusting the rake of the steering column as well as the height of the seat. The Innova is indeed a milestone for the Indian user, and a big leap forward for the automotive industry in the country. The advent of the Toyota Innova has certainly made a very significant point. It has beyond doubt elevated the benchmark several levels higher for other manufacturers in our country, while offering the Indian buyer a family car he would be proud to possess.
Specifications
Toyota INNOVA (diesel/petrol)
Engine Type: Liquid cooled 4-cylinder inline
Valve Layout: 16V DOHC
Displacement: 2494cc/ 1998cc
Fuel Injection: Common rail/ EFI with VVT-i
Max Power: 102PS@3600rpm/ 136PS@5600rpm
Max Torque: 200Nm@1400-3400rpm/ 182Nm@4000rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Suspension F: Independent wishbone type with coil springs and stabilizer
Suspension R: 4-link, coil springs
F Brake: Discs (ABS on V version)
R Brake: Drums
Wheels F/R: 15 x 6J (alloys in V version)
Tyre F/R: 205/65 R15 (tubeless)
Length: 4555mm
Width: 1770mm
Height: 1755mm
Wheelbase: 2750mm
Ground Clearance: 176mm
Fuel Capacity: 55 liters
Kerb Weight: 1585/1510kg
Instrumentation: Tachometer, trip meter, digital clock, tilt power steering, door ajar warning, seat belt warning, ABS, driver and passenger side airbags, engine immobilizer.
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