Toyota
Overview
Toyota
| Kiichiro Toyoda established Toyota in 1937 which is now head-quartered in Aichi, Japan. Toyota Motor Corporation is the world's largest automaker by sales revenue, relegating GM from its perch. Toyota owns and operates premier brands like Toyota, Lexus and Scion while owning half of another automotive brand, Daihatsu. Toyota tied up with the Kirloskar Group by forming Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited which was established in October 1997. The shareholders of Toyota Motors are Toyota Motor Corporation holding a share of 89% while Kirloskar group holds 11%. Sensing the importance of India as a market, Toyota started its operations here by launching the Corolla which was the segment leader for a long time. The Camry was introduced to rival the Honda Accord here but failed to capture the buyer's mind owing to its high sticker price. The Land Cruiser Prado occupies the place of pride, competing against the likes of formidable contenders like the Mitsubishi Montero. Toyota Innova invigorated the image of MPVs and has been selling in good numbers. In 1997, Toyota began production of the world's best selling hybrid car, the Toyota Prius. Later in 2002, it started the IMV project, "Innovative International Multi-purpose vehicle" to optimize global manufacturing and supply systems for pickup trucks and multipurpose vehicles. Toyota Kirloskar sells 4 car models in India. It stopped producing the Toyota Qualis to make way for the Toyota Innova, which was launched in India in 2005. The most expensive car from Toyota is the Land Cruiser Prado. |
Models
Toyota Camry
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| The Toyota Camry is a benchmark in driving experience and one of the best lookers around. A powerful 2.4-litre engine producing 141 bhp and 20.9 kg-m at 5600 rpm with a variable valve timing-intelligent system (VVT-I) on board, a reasonably big power plant considering the power to weight ratio. This engine also has an intelligent electronic control system (ETCS-I) that optimizes the engine output to help ensure acceleration control with smooth gearshift changes by adjusting the throttle valve relative to accelerators opening. Safety and comfort today is the car manufacturers' biggest forte and the Camry is no way behind the best. It has front and rear crushing zones side impact bars that are mandatory these days and there is no question of not having them. Air bags for driver, passenger and sides come in as standard along with seat belts. A unique brake assist system with air vented disc rotors for front and standard disc rotors for rear that helps the driver who panic sometimes in not applying the brakes with enough pressure. This system increases braking force even when the pedal is not pushed enough or reduces the amount of pressure when the driver intentionally eases up on the brake pedal. The passenger comfort zone consists of an automatic climate control two options of the skin on the seats fabric or leather, an audio system with a 10 CD changer in the boot. Powered front driver and passenger seats for easy and exact levels of comfort adjustments. Body coloured retractable rear view mirrors and for preventing those niggardly irritating scratches in parking lots and in heavy traffic conditions a body coloured side protective mouldings. And talking of that smart look a seven spoke aluminum alloy 15-inch rim to put the package together. One of the unique features that have been offered is the `Key Less Entry' that only the `S' class Mercedes offers as optional along with an immobiliser. The headlamp is like a blade and the snout is pronounced with that Toyota badge falling into the grille which in itself is quite eye-catching! There’s a hint of BMW 7-Series too, with the boot having a step-like design like the BMW. The tail lamps too are modern and give a bulging stance to the rear. The interior is equally good looking. There’s aluminium, fake wood and luxurious-looking plastics all over. The centre console is luminescent blue which gives it quite a unique look. It is a car that lets you arrive in style. It is comfortable and quite manageable in the city. The ride quality is good and handling sharp. It is a very comfortable and refined machine that is value for money. |
Toyota Corolla
 | Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling models in the world--Corolla was introduced in Japan in 1966 and more than 30 million Corollas have been sold worldwide by 2007. Toyota Corolla is a popular small sedan and offers a base CE, sporty S, luxury LE, and performance-oriented XRS models. All use a 1.8-liter 4-cyl engine. CE, S, and LE send 126 hp through 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmissions. The XRS has 164 hp and mandatory 6-speed manual, plus unique trim, sport suspension, and 16-inch wheels. Currently, the Corolla is one of the most reliable cars on the road. Very economical and inexpensive to maintain. Holds value very well, very popular model; easy to sell. Front-wheel drive. Transversely mounted engine, disk brakes in the front, drums in the back almost on all models (only XRS model from 2005 offers all four disk brakes). ABS is available as an option, but rare to find. Parts are moderately priced. Very simple car; easy to service. Any independent garage can work on your Corolla. In NHTSA frontal-impact crash tests, the 2003-2008 Corolla scored 5 stars for the driver and front passenger. In frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2003-2008 Corolla received "Good" overall rating. Two versions of engine are available, the 87 kW (116 bhp) 1.6 3ZZ-FE engine and the 100 kW (134 bhp) 1.8 1ZZ-FE engine, both with VVT-i technology, which incorporates "lift" and keeps the intake valves open longer for a more efficient burn, therefore resulting in more power. |
Toyota Corolla Altis
 | The new Toyota Altis is being produced in India at its Indian Toyota Kirloskar Motor plant. The most amazing thing about the car is its style and improved engine versions with advanced technologies like engine transmission, which gear up the vehicle for better fuel efficiency. It is expected that it is going to be very competitive with models from Skoda and and Honda. The engine of the new Corolla Altis is a 1.8L variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i). This special engine is capable of delivering power at 140bhp. This VVT-i engine is a 4 cylinder type with 16 valves in built, capable of delivering a displacement of 1794cc. Maximum power delivered is 132ps at the rate of 6000 rpm and maximum torque delivered is 17.34 Kg m/4200 rpm. The transmission offered by the car is a four speed automatic with super ECT type. Front suspensions are Mac Pherson Strut type while the rear suspension are Torsion beam. Steering is equipped with Electric Power Steering (EPS) technology. Presently Corolla Altis is featured with wider and lower front character line, exterior flow line is also very distinctive. Wing mirror of the car is provided with turn indicators, transmission is totally electronically controlled, parking sensors are present on the car at the front and the rear side, AC is auto climate controlled, audio system is totally integrated, steering control is tilt and telescopic vision equipped. Other features include a 8 way power front seat and a turning radius of just 5.3m. Presently, the Toyota Corolla Altis is available in five different model variants, all being equpped with five different color types. Present prices range between Rs.13 to 14 lakh. |
Toyota Innova
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| The Toyota Innova is an owners pride for its design, comfort, safety and its new innovative features. It features virtually the same dimensions as the previous model, but offers an all-new body with a lean, stylish shape that offers more interior and luggage room, engines that are more powerful yet more fuel-efficient and an all-new chassis and suspension. The Innova has a much better image more than any other MUV/MPV. The styling cues are nothing more than a mini van, maybe a little sleeker in design. Essentially, a MUV should be able to carry people and loads comfortably and as economically as possible. This puts a lot of restraint when it comes to freedom in terms of styling. But the Innova does manage to break the barrier a little with curves and arches instead of a boxy and brick-like exterior. There are numerous variants on offer, but the engine options are essentially a 2.5l diesel and 2.0l petrol. The diesel generates 102bhp at 5600rpm, whereas the petrol makes 136bhp at 5600rpm. The ride quality is excellent owing mostly to the refined engines. Being a Toyota, the other adjectives you could compliment the engine with would be reliability and efficiency. The engine is tuned to offer good low-end performance and it does take a little fun out of the higher gears but the transmission is smooth and precise. The interiors are roomy and the space offered is really good. The car is definitely on the lengthy side and this reflects within the car as well. The contours and small details are very well thought of and executed. The light shades opted for the interiors are pleasing to the eye. Once inside you are not inclined to race away but a gentle cruise would be better to complement the ambience. Mileage figures stand at 10kpl as an average for the 2.0l petrol version whereas you can expect upwards of 11kpl from the diesel. |
Toyota Prado
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| The Toyota Prado is Toyota's premium 5-door, 8-seater presentation in the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment. It is a rugged and powerful petrol powered vehicle. The ruggedly built Prado presents awesome engine power, superior handling and terrain hugging abilities for rough rides. It handles equally confidently in city conditions too. This model also has excellent safety features to prevent injury to occupants in case of an accident or collision. Toyota offered the smaller and newer of the two Land Cruisers, a genuine off-roader, with body-on-frame construction, switchable four-wheel drive and a pair of huge engines. There is an excellent diesel on its way, but for now, Toyota has launched only a massive 4.0-litre V6 petrol, which has a fearsome 235bhp and 36.9kgm of pull. It has been one of the most sought after status symbols coveted by politicians, film stars, industrialists and celebrities in India for a long time. The big, toothy grille, subtle-but-evident body armour and the sheer volume of the car are enough to scare off all other road users. The downside is that the Prado feels cumbersome through traffic and nerve-racking to park, accentuated by the wide turning circle. The huge dashboard, large Multiple Information Display and chunky fittings feel very reassuring, and the seats are wide and comfortable. Also, very little noise filters through, and is very well kitted, with a full range of airbags, dual-zone climate control and heated, powered seats. Its 235PS max power coming in at 5200rpm and 362Nm of max torque at 3800rpm flexing muscle through every bulge, the Prado is the largest and most powerful SUV in the country. Acceleration is sharp, nothing short of a tuned performance car, this in spite of the 5-speed auto box with all time four-wheel drive with transfer modes. There is barely any shift lag associated with this automatic making this auto box one of the smoothest trannies we have come across. Prado remains stable, executing superb control and traction especially at higher speeds. Even the suspension package which employs electronic controlled air suspension rounds with conventional double wishbone at the front and a 4-link type suspension with lateral rod at the rear ensures that the vehicle remains unfluttered over bad surfaces while it keeps you luxuriating in the superior ride. New cars in this series have a showroom price ranging from around Rs. 40.3 lakhs to around Rs. 47.25 lakhs in addition to other charges such as RTO, insurance, etc. |
