With the emerging rage of compact SUV’s in India, Toyota is in no mood of being on the back foot. With successful models like Qualis, Innova and Fortuner, Toyota has managed to gain the trust of Indians. There were rumours of Toyota bringing in compact SUV’s like Rush or Rav4 to the AutoExpo. But now it seems the Japanese giant is planning to play it in a different way by bringing in the Cross Etios. Yes correct, an Etios crossover which will be the current Etios on steroids.
The Toyota Etios Cross has been spotted in India and there are chances of Toyota launching this Crossover/Compact SUV in the coming AutoExpo. Recently Toyota introduced Etios Cross in Brazil in November 2013, based on their Etios flagship model.
Etios Cross will be propelled by a 1496 cc D-4D petrol engine producing 89 bhp@5600 RPM while the 1496 cc diesel engine produces 67 bhp@3800 RPM. Both the engines are mated to a 5 speed manual transmission. There are chances that Toyota might come up with a more powerful motor for the Etios Cross.
The front and rear is revamped with body kit, which gives it rugged looks. Toyota has also changed the design on the alloy wheels to make it look a wannabe SUV. Ground clearance is relatively similar, muscular body kit and bigger wheels gives an attire of a compact SUV to Etios Cross. There are even chances of an enhancement in dashboard design.
The C-segment Etios Cross has been priced for 45,960 Real Brazillian which will be around 12.59 lakh Rupees. The Etios Liva is priced between 4.67 to 7.03 lakhs in India. We expect the Etios Cross to be priced at around INR 8 lakh ex-showroom.
We have already seen such “On Steroids” models from Volkswagen and Skoda. Volkswagen Cross Polo and Skoda Fabia Scout have failed to impress the Indian market . It will be interesting to see how Etios Cross performs against real compact SUV’s like the Duster and Terrano and what luck it brings for Toyota.
Spyshot Source: IAB