Toyota Innova Crysta
What’s it? The second-generation Innova that’s bigger and better.
What’s new? The new Innova Crysta (as it’s called now) has grown in proportions, gets a new design language and a host of new features, both inside and out. A wider grille with chrome slats, sharper and slimmer headlamps, Renault Espace-like D-pillar treatment and wider tail-lamps. On the inside, too, it gets a new 7.1-inch touchscreen, faux wood and faux aluminium bits and a ‘waterfall’ design for the dash.
What’s under the hood? A new 2.4-litre motor with nearly 150 bhp replaces the older 102 bhp 2.5-litre unit, replete with 5-speed manual transmission. A new 2.8-litre diesel with a six-speed auto as well as a potential 2.7-litre petrol will also be offered.
Launch date? Second-half 2016.
Competiton check: Renault Lodgy, Mahindra Xylo
Expected price? Rs 12-20 lakh
Toyota Prius
What’s it? The fourth-gen Prius that’s on its way to India
What’s new? Based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), the Prius is lighter and dynamically superior to its predecessor, also helped by the fact that it’s stiffer and has a lower centre of gravity. New front and rear suspension have also helped make the car better to drive and is packed with features like lane-departure warning, pre-collision system, radar-guided cruise control, etc.
What’s under the hood? The same 1.8-litre, four-cylinder VVT-i petrol motor does duty and has been reworked to improve fuel economy by 18 per cent and thermal efficiency by 40 per cent. With 97 bhp from the petrol motor and 73 bhp from the electric motor, performance should be more than adequate.
Launch date? Late-2016
Competition check: Toyota Camry hybrid, VW Passat GTE
Expected price? Rs 35-40 lakh
