Toyota recently unveiled the Innova Electric MPV concept at the Indonesian International Motor Show in Jakarta. Now, according to international media reports, Innova will not come into electric production. This information has been confirmed to Toyota Indonesia’s AutonetMaz. Innova Electric is only being used for future research and development of electric vehicles.
Anton Jimmy Suwandi, Marketing Director, Toyota Astra Motors, Indonesia, said: “Kizang Innova Electric is not a car we will sell. So this is just an idea, and its nature is only for engineering development. We borrowed the car from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia, where it was used for R&D with Toyota Motor Asia Pacific and Toyota Daihatsu Engineering and Manufacturing. “
Innova Electric regularly brings some cosmetic upgrades from InnovaCrista. The idea ended in white with a blue accent. The grille is now closed which improves airflow and gives MPV a more smooth look. Like other Toyota EVs, the Innova Electric gets a blue accent. The headlamps and tail lamps have also been slightly modified. The interior also had some EV-specific changes.
Read more: The Toyota Innova Krista base variant has changed to look and feel like a superior variant (video)
Challenges due to the platform
Toyota will face the challenge of converting the existing Toyota Innova Christa into an electric car. Because the InnovaCrista is based on the IMV ladder frame chassis which is now quite an old platform. It is being shared with Fortuner and Hilux pick-up trucks.
The platform was designed to accommodate petrol and diesel engines, leaving no room for electric motors and battery packs. The ladder frame chassis has a long arm that limits the battery storage space. Then there is the weight of the platform which is a disadvantage in itself to the electrical conversion of MPV.
Toyota is working on a new generation Innova
Toyota has already started working on a new generation Innova. It has been codenamed B560 and the new MPV has also been seen on Indian roads. We expect Toyota to unveil the new Genoa Innova by the end of 2022 or the first half of 2023.
We know that the current InnovaCrista is based on the IMV platform. Well, that is expected to change with the new generation. According to media reports, the new Innova will now use a monocoque chassis that will be based on Daihatsu’s DNGA platform. DNGA stands for Daihatsu New Global Architecture. This information has not been confirmed yet, we will have to wait for the official details of Toyota.
Until now, the Innova had rear-wheel drive but due to the new platform, the upcoming Innova could be front wheel drive. This will help increase fuel efficiency as the rear wheels will have no drive shaft to carry power. It helps in saving fuel.
Last year, Japanese manufacturers were reportedly working on hybrid technology for their diesel engines. The hybrid system is expected to reduce emissions and help Toyota get tax benefits in some countries.
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