Crysta Gazing
Toyota's efforts to make the Innova an owner's pride may have just been realised with the Crysta, by far a winner in the MPV category.
- May 2, 2016,
- Updated May 4, 2016 9:54 AM IST
The Indian passenger car market is witnessing a churn like never before - emergence of new segments and phasing out of older models have almost become a daily feature. Japanese auto major Toyota, too, is driving down the innovation highway to reinvent the Innova with Crysta - the best-ever Innova with fresh styling, crispier shell and sharper body lines that would combine affordable luxury with some real power.
Coming as the first major overhaul since its 2005 India debut, the Innova Crysta has borrowed from the company's new global architecture, which bears testimony to five years of meticulous hard work by Toyota engineers, based on feedback from select 600,000 Indian customers.
The ardent changes in design - from shedding the bulky headlights for slimmer projector headlamps with integrated LED lighting and keyless ignition, to retuned suspensions for better control and shock-free drive on potholed Indian roads - were not only made to cater to the aspirational Indian middle class, but also to move beyond the tag of being a hitch vehicle. Automatic control has been added to the rear AC and the top-end Z-variants gets ambient lighting and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with navigation. Keeping in mind the aspirations of younger customers, the Crysta has been pepped up with top-notch upholstery, gizmos and connectivity.
The new GD series turbo diesel engine has not only enhanced the power and mileage output, but the six-speed, 2.8-litre diesel motor with 174 PS raw power @3,400 rpm makes it the most powerful MPV sold in India. A long-pending demand for a high-end automatic variant has also been met by Toyota with Crysta. The pedal is much peppier, thanks to the higher 360 Nm torque.
The seating configuration remains standard with separated captain and bench, coming in fresh Hazel Brown and Black leather option for the higher trims. The introduction of one-touch tumble and space-up rear seats makes it easy to slide and move rear passengers across easily.
Battling to ditch the reputation of churning out boring cars - reinforced by the debacle of its India-specific Etios - Toyota has introduced a segment first with ECO and POWER modes. Claiming to provide the best of both worlds, the Eco mode promises a healthy blend of power and fuel with 15.10 km mileage. The POWER mode, true to its acronym, denotes top-notch acceleration and performance that surprisingly even enhances the aircon delivery inside the car by a measure. It also makes the drive effortless and reduces stress while moving the huge vehicle on congested Indian roads.
For motoring aficionados, a petrol variant is ruled out for the time being. However, improvements have been carried out on the regular manual to deliver 15 per cent higher mileage and power, despite a smaller 2.4 litre engine - a 100 cc deficit over the outgoing 2, 494 cc powermill. The new MD of the Indo-Japanese venture, Akito Tachibana, is keenly observing the persistent shift towards petrol vehicles in India and, going by the dwindling preference for diesel, did not rule out the possibility of a petrol variant. "There is no consideration yet over the uncertainty (Supreme Court ban on 2,000 cc vehicles). However, we have the options to get something from our global line-up, which could be worked out," he told Business Today on the sidelines of the Crysta review.
Vying for a bigger slice of private number plates, the safety apparatus has been spruced up with seven SRS airbags, including a critical driver knee and curtain shields. The patented body, Global Outstanding Assessment (GOA) shell, has been carved out of high tensile steel for improved occupant and pedestrian protection, which interestingly, makes the cabin much quieter. Adding to the performance is a vehicle stability feature - hill-hold assist with anti-lock brakes - that yet again makes it the best-in-class MPV.
The Indian passenger car market is witnessing a churn like never before - emergence of new segments and phasing out of older models have almost become a daily feature. Japanese auto major Toyota, too, is driving down the innovation highway to reinvent the Innova with Crysta - the best-ever Innova with fresh styling, crispier shell and sharper body lines that would combine affordable luxury with some real power.
Coming as the first major overhaul since its 2005 India debut, the Innova Crysta has borrowed from the company's new global architecture, which bears testimony to five years of meticulous hard work by Toyota engineers, based on feedback from select 600,000 Indian customers.
The ardent changes in design - from shedding the bulky headlights for slimmer projector headlamps with integrated LED lighting and keyless ignition, to retuned suspensions for better control and shock-free drive on potholed Indian roads - were not only made to cater to the aspirational Indian middle class, but also to move beyond the tag of being a hitch vehicle. Automatic control has been added to the rear AC and the top-end Z-variants gets ambient lighting and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with navigation. Keeping in mind the aspirations of younger customers, the Crysta has been pepped up with top-notch upholstery, gizmos and connectivity.
The new GD series turbo diesel engine has not only enhanced the power and mileage output, but the six-speed, 2.8-litre diesel motor with 174 PS raw power @3,400 rpm makes it the most powerful MPV sold in India. A long-pending demand for a high-end automatic variant has also been met by Toyota with Crysta. The pedal is much peppier, thanks to the higher 360 Nm torque.
The seating configuration remains standard with separated captain and bench, coming in fresh Hazel Brown and Black leather option for the higher trims. The introduction of one-touch tumble and space-up rear seats makes it easy to slide and move rear passengers across easily.
Battling to ditch the reputation of churning out boring cars - reinforced by the debacle of its India-specific Etios - Toyota has introduced a segment first with ECO and POWER modes. Claiming to provide the best of both worlds, the Eco mode promises a healthy blend of power and fuel with 15.10 km mileage. The POWER mode, true to its acronym, denotes top-notch acceleration and performance that surprisingly even enhances the aircon delivery inside the car by a measure. It also makes the drive effortless and reduces stress while moving the huge vehicle on congested Indian roads.
For motoring aficionados, a petrol variant is ruled out for the time being. However, improvements have been carried out on the regular manual to deliver 15 per cent higher mileage and power, despite a smaller 2.4 litre engine - a 100 cc deficit over the outgoing 2, 494 cc powermill. The new MD of the Indo-Japanese venture, Akito Tachibana, is keenly observing the persistent shift towards petrol vehicles in India and, going by the dwindling preference for diesel, did not rule out the possibility of a petrol variant. "There is no consideration yet over the uncertainty (Supreme Court ban on 2,000 cc vehicles). However, we have the options to get something from our global line-up, which could be worked out," he told Business Today on the sidelines of the Crysta review.
Vying for a bigger slice of private number plates, the safety apparatus has been spruced up with seven SRS airbags, including a critical driver knee and curtain shields. The patented body, Global Outstanding Assessment (GOA) shell, has been carved out of high tensile steel for improved occupant and pedestrian protection, which interestingly, makes the cabin much quieter. Adding to the performance is a vehicle stability feature - hill-hold assist with anti-lock brakes - that yet again makes it the best-in-class MPV.