The Toyota Innova is one of India’s most favourite cars. If you were to go out and stand at a busy intersection for a while, you will spot at least half a million of these people-carriers. The Innova leaves the showroom quicker than a freshly baked bread sells. Post its launch in 2005, the car has seen a few cosmetic changes and some interior tweaks over the years. But, the vital mechanical bits underneath never saw any upgradation and the MPV continues with the same two engines, a 2.0-litre petrol unit and the engine of choice, a 2.5-litre turbocharged intercooled diesel. The petrol motor makes 130 bhp @ 5600 rpm and 181 Nm @ 4000 rpm. The oil-burner makes 100 bhp @ 3600 rpm and 200 Nm @ 1400 rpm. Though both the engines do their job alright, the diesel engine simply lacks any refinement and clatters like an old washing machine. And it’s high time that Toyota gives the Innova a fresh lease of life. With the 2016 Innova, Toyota seems to have exciting things coming. Don’t hold your breath on this one, as the Indian launch is set to happen only in 2016.
The 2016 Toyota Innova will be based on an all-new body-on-frame chassis which promises more improvements on several important fronts such as a more rigid chassis, better fuel efficiency, lower NVH levels etc. The car will also sport a newer front-fascia with a different grille, newer design headlamps like on the Corolla and different bumpers and the tail will feature newer lights. The 2016 Innova also seems to have grown in some aspects and shrunk in others. The car is definitely longer and wider than the current iteration and the roofline has come down a wee bit, too. The increase in length and width means that the 2016 Toyota Innova will be marginally better in terms of interior space than the current model.
The current 2.5-litre diesel unit will be replaced with a newer one which promises to be more powerful, refined and more frugal. This means the characteristic diesel clatter would be more or less eliminated from creeping into the cabin. Talking of which, the interiors are to uplifted and newer fresher bits added to the now dull and jaded cabin of the Innova. Also, Toyota might offer up an autobox to go along with the current 5-speed manual. Expect a slight bump in price for this new Innova, but knowing the brand and the reputation of the Innova, the new car will be leaving showrooms quicker than Toyota can manufacture them.
Image courtesy – Motor Vikatan