No Diesel Toyota Innova in Future; Petrol-Hybrid Model in the Works
The Toyota Innova is currently the most popular MPVs on sale in the Indian market. The diesel version of the MPV accounts for the majority of the sales. It is available in two diesel engines – a 2.4-litre and a 2.8-litre. A new media report claims that the Japanese brand could discontinue the diesel powered Innova in the next 2-3 years. In fact, the company is considering the petrol hybrid engines for the Innova. This is the part of Toyota’s strategy of switching towards eco-friendly cars. The regular petrol-powered Toyota Innova will continue to be sold in our market.
The BSVI emission norms will come into effect in April 2020. However, the Japanese automaker is looking at the stricter fuel efficiency norms to be introduced in 2022. The company is planning to introduce a range of hybrid cars to meet the new CAFE norms. The new petrol hybrid engine will be introduced in the next-gen Innova, not in the outgoing Crysta model. Also See – Toyota to launch 2 new cars in India
Speaking to Livemint, a source close to the development, said, “Diesel engine option for the next replacement of Innova seems off the cards right now. Toyota will develop the next generation of the Innova with the hybrid system and given the stricter emission and fuel efficiency norms this strategy makes perfect sense. Toyota’s portfolio is very diesel-heavy and this will also help Toyota push its hybrid technology in India”. Also See – Toyota Innova G Plus Launched
The report further claims that the next generation Toyota will be launched by 2021-22. This will be the time when Indian Government will introduce the stricter CAFE (corporate average fuel efficiency) norms and Real-world Driving emissions test. In order to meet the second phase of Cafe norms, Toyota is pushing for hybrid technology in India.
Before introducing the next-gen model, Toyota will give a mid-life facelift to the popular Innova Crysta. The new model will receive subtle design changes and upgraded interior. It will get BSVI compliant 2.4-litre diesel, 2.8-litre diesel and 2.7-litre petrol engines.
