In 2018, Toyota Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation had signed an agreement under which both carmakers share certain models in the Indian market. Toyota has already introduced the Maruti Baleno and Vitara Brezza based Glanza hatchback and Urban Cruiser subcompact SUV. The next product to come under this partnership will be Toyota’s rebadged version of the Maruti Ciaz mid-size sedan. Ahead of its official arrival, the Toyota Ciaz sedan’s front grille featuring Toyota signature badge has been leaked online.
Similar to the Urban Cruiser and Glanza, the upcoming Toyota Ciaz sedan will witness minor cosmetic upgrades. It might come with the newly-designed alloy wheels. Most of the design elements and features are likely to be retained. Under the hood, the Toyota Ciaz will employ the same 1.5L petrol engine boosted with Suzuki’s SHVS mild hybrid technology. The motor pushes out a peak power of 104bhp and 138Nm of torque. There will be the same gearboxes on offer – a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic.
Rumour has that Toyota’s re-badged Ciaz will come as a replacement to the Yaris that was recently discontinued. Compared to the Maruti Ciaz, the new Toyota sedan is expected to be priced slightly premium. The former is currently comes within the price range of Rs 8.42 lakh – Rs 11.33 lakh (ex-showroom).
In other updates, the Japanese carmaker is testing its two global SUVs in India – RAV4 and C-HR. While there is no official word on their India launch timeline, reports suggest that both SUVs will be brought under the government’s new import rule. It allows a carmaker to import 2,500 units on annual basis without any local homologation process.
Toyota is also working on the new-generation Fortuner SUV that’s likely to arrive sometime next year. If reports are to be believed, the 2022 Toyota Fortuner will come with ADAS (advanced driver assistance system), electronically controlled vehicle stability control (VSC) and electric power steering.
