Toyota to Launch All-New SUV In India to Rival Compass and Harrier
To be based on new moncoque platform, the new Toyota SUV will sit below Fortuner.
It is no secret that Toyota will enter into the premium hatchback and sub-4 meter SUV segment with the help of Maruti Suzuki in India. The company will introduce the re-badged Baleno and Vitara Brezza in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Interestingly, Toyota is also planning a new SUV to challenge the likes of Jeep Compass, Tata Harrier and Hyundai Creta.
Toyota’s 2 of the most successful products – Innova Crysta and Fortuner are utility vehicles. Rather than exploring new segments, the Japanese brand is banking big on UVs to drive sales in the highly competitive market. Toyota is currently selling the Rush SUV in select international markets. It was speculated that Toyota could bring this SUV to India, though nothing official has been announced by the automaker. Opinion – Toyota Rush – Will It Launch In India
Toyota is also selling the RAV4 SUV in the international markets. This model is based on the company’s ‘Toyota New Global Architecture’ a.k.a TNGA platform, which also underpins the new Camry, Prius, C-HR and the new-gen Corolla sedan. For launching this SUV, Toyota will have to invest heavily to create new production-line for the TNGA platform. This is highly unlikely as the company has no plans to make huge investment in India.
The report from ET Auto claims that the company could develop an all-new monocoque chassis to develop the new SUV. This new SUV will be compliant with upcoming crash test as well BSVI emission norms. The new platform will be compatible to hybrid powertrains. The brand’s existing platform that underpins the Innova Crysta and Fortuner is now feasible to accommodate electric or hybrid powertrain.
Toyota is likely to go petrol and hybrids in future. It is expected that the new SUV could also be made available in a full hybrid or electric form. The Japanese automaker will launch the next-gen Corolla sedan in India in 2020. This model will be offered with hybrid solution and won’t offer diesel engine option.
Video – Toyota Rush – 3 reason why it is not coming to India
