Japanese automaker Toyota is getting aggressive with its product strategy for the fast growing Indian market. The company’s 3rd production plant will be operational in 2025-26. It was speculated that the Corolla Cross based 7-seater SUV will be the first model to be produced at the new plant; however, this project has been cancelled. The company is now preparing 4 new SUVs, which will be launched in our market in the next 2 years –
Toyota Taisor
Toyota had discontinued the Vitara Brezza based Urban Cruiser sub-4 meter SUV from our market. The company has no product in the sub-4 meter SUV category. Toyota will soon introduce the re-badged version of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx crossover in our market in the next few months. Rumoured to be called the Toyota Taisor, the new crossover will be offered with a 1.2-litre NA petrol and a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Both manual and automatic gearbox options will be on offer.
Toyota Hyryder 7-Seater
Maruti Suzuki and Toyota JV is also working on a new 3-row SUV based on the Suzuki’s Global-C platform that underpins the Brezza, Grand Vitara and the Hyryder. While the Grand Vitara and Hyryder are produced at Toyota’s Chennai based plant, the new 3-row SUVs will be manufactured at Maruti Suzuki’s upcoming factory in Haryana. The new 7-seater SUV will be the longer wheelbase version of the Hyryder and will rival the Tata Safari, Hyundai Alcazar and the Mahindra XUV700. It is likely to be offered with a 1.5-litre NA petrol and a 1.5L petrol with strong hybrid tech.
New Toyota Fortuner
Toyota is working on the next generation Fortuner 3-row SUV, which is likely to make its global debut sometime in 2024. It will be designed and developed on an all-new TNGA-F architecture, which underpins multiple global cars including the Land Cruiser 300 and the Tacoma pickup. The new Toyota Fortuner will come with significantly revised styling and an all-new interior. It will be powered by a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, which comes with a 48-volt mild hybrid setup. This setup will improve the fuel efficiency by 10% compared to the regular model. The electric motor in the hybrid setup is claimed to offer enhanced torque assist and support regenerative braking.
Toyota Urban SUV Electric
Toyota will also launch an all-new electric SUV based on the Urban SUV Concept in the country in 2025. The new SUV will share lots of components and features with the Maruti eVX. Both models will share the platform, powertrain setup and interior layout along with body panels. The new model measures 4300mm in length, 1820mm in width and 1620mm in height. It is 20mm shorter in width and height compared to the eVX; however, the length is identical. Similar to the EVX, the Toyota Urban SUV Concept is expected to have a wheelbase of 2700mm.
The new SUV will be designed and developed on an all-new skateboard platform, which will also underpin multiple Suzuki and Toyota electric vehicles. Internally called 27PL, the new skateboard platform will be derived from Toyota’s 40PL electric skateboard architecture. The electric SUV is expected to be offered with front wheel and all-wheel drive options. The AWD options are likely to be introduced in the global markets. It is expected to be fitted with a 60kWh battery pack and is likely to offer a range of around 500km on a single charge.
