The show has begun and people have started to come to the 10th Indian Auto Expo. On January 5, 2009, two major auto makers unveiled their products. Toyota Kirloskar group unveiled its concept car, Toyota Etios. Etios is Toyota's compact car for the Indian market. There will be two versions of this car- hatchback and sedan. The sedan version of the car will be launched first in India followed by the hatchback version in 2011. The sedan version of the Toyota Etios will enter production first and it will come with a 1.5 liter gas engine. While the hatchback will sport a smaller 1.2 liter engine. Toyota told reporters that the cars will be best in their classes and come in competitive price. Business Standard Motoring reports:
The concept behind the design is 'bold simplicity.' The sedan looks quite futuristic when viewed from the front three-quarters, but the profile is typically conservative Toyota. The triangular tail-lamps frame the rear three-quarters quite well. The hatchback, on the other hand, barely conceals its sporty intent - bright red brake callipers, anyone?
Honda on the other hand, unveiled its concept small car for India known as the Honda New Small. Slated to release in 2011, the car will be released in India and Thailand. Business Standard Motoring:
The design language of the car looks all-new, with extensive use of LED lights. While the grille does resemble that of the Honda Jazz, the overall shape of the car is from a new school of design altogether. The concept sports a raked C-pillar, and clam-shell bonnet, with a nice waistline that merges midpoint with the hatch glass.
The car will come with a 1.0 litre VTEC engine but there is a possibility for a 1.2 litre engine version that is now available in Honda Jazz. In India, the car will compete with Hyundai i10 Kappa, Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20 base version.
Sports-Utility-Vehicle (SUV) is the ultimate dream of every car owner. They are big, spacious, and built to run on any terrain without any problem but not every one can own an SUV. Toyota, one of the top car makers in the world is the proud creator of Land Cruiser. On June 9, 2009, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM), the Indian joint venture between Toyota and Kirloskar Group, launched the company’s eighth generation Toyota Land Cruiser in India. Though expensive, SUV’s are ideal vehicles for India. The roads are broke in many places and filled with potholes. During the rainy season, it becomes even more difficult to drive. The Land Cruiser is Toyota’s flagship SUV. The company has been building Land Cruiser since 1951. Though established in 1997, TKM did not introduce any small cars like Hyundai, Honda, Suzuki and Ford. The manufacturing plant of TKM situated on the outskirts of Bangalore produces Corolla Altis and Innova. The plant has a production capacity of 60,000 units. In 2008, the company produced 54,327 units. Toyota imports the SUVs from abroad which makes them quite expensive. Still, the company sold 51,800 SUVs in 2008. Economic recession has hurt the sales of autos in India this year. TKM hopes that sales would remain flat in 2009.
The new ToyotaLand Cruiser:
The bold design of the new Toyota Land Cruiser makes it a symbol of power and success. The car’s sports chrome plated radiator grille reflects its strength. The front combination lamps enhance visibility and the LED-type tail lamps and stop lamps ensures high visibility at night. The power moonroof makes the car feel more spacious. On the rear spoiler, the LED high-mount stop lamp alerts the driver to stop. On the backside of the car, there is the lift up main door and drop down lower door. The lower door also has additional compartments.
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a powerful car and the source of its power is its 4.5 liter V8 Common Rail diesel Engine. The best thing about the engine is that it does not make much noise and can reach a maximum speed of 210 Kw @3600 rpm. Its six speed automatic transmission allows the driver to control the vehicle with great ease. The kinetic dynamic suspension system allows the vehicle to remain steady both on and off road. The new Toyota Land Cruiser has “Crawl Control System,” which automatically controls the break pedal and accelerator. While driving on rough terrain, this system allows the driver to focus on his driving. If you are driving on slopes the Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) will stop the car from moving backwards and refrains it from skidding on slopes.
The new Toyota Land Cruiser is fitted with ten SRS airbags including knee airbags, side airbags and the curtain shield airbags. Then there is the “Multi Terrain Anti-Lock Braking System” that automatically tunes the ABS system according to the condition of the surface on which car is being driven. The Electronic Brake-Force Distribution balances the front and rear brakes of the car. The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system allows the vehicle to remain steady while driving through corners by automatically controlling the engine output and brake pressure on each wheel. Clearance and back sonar helps the driver to turn or park the car safely.
The new Toyota Land Cruiser also provides great comfort and convenience. It has twenty eight air outlets that makes sure that there is ample air supply inside the car. The four-zone climate control system allows each passenger to have his/her own comfort zone. The car also has an “ejector type cool box with 8.6 liter capacity” to store cold drinks. There is also the built-in 6 DVD player, Electro Multi Version DVD Screen, USB drive and iPod integration kit and 14 powerful JBL speakers. The large and well-designed optitron meter is placed in a position that makes it very for the driver to look at. The multi-information display shows all the necessary data the driver needs to know while driving the car. You would not even have to pull out and press the key to start the new Land Cruiser. The new “smart key” opens up the car door while key remains in driver’s pocket.
Overall specifications of the new Land Cruiser:
Overall length: 4950 mm
Width: 1,970mm
Height: 1910 mm
Wheelbase: 2850 mm
Tread front: 1640 mm
Rear: 1635 mm
Ground clearance: 225 mm
Gross vehicle weight:3,300 kg
Color: Greyish blue metallic, beige mica metallic, gold mica metallic, white pearl crystal shine, green mica metallic, dark red mica metallic.
Chassis and Engine:
Front suspension: Double wishbone with KDSStechnology.
Rear suspension: Four link coil spring with KDSS technology.
Front brakes and rear brakes: Toyota has ventilated disc brakes in both front and rear.
Minimum turning radius: 5.9 m
Fuel tank capacity: 93 litres
Tyre size: 285/60 R18.
Engine: 4.5 litre diesel engine.
Engine type: V8, 32 value DOHC.
Transmission: Six speed automatic.
Displacement: 4461 cc.
Maximum output: 210/3600 kw/rpm.
Maximum torque: 650/1600-2800 mm/rpm.
Fuel system: Common rail-type.
Other features of the new ToyotaLand Cruiser:
Power driver and front passenger seats allow passengers to change seating position with great ease and maximize comfort.
There is the personalized memory settings that brings every thing the way you kept in case if some one changes your car settings. For example, driver seat position.
Cruise control ensures smooth driving capacity.
For front seat passengers, the new Toyota Land Cruiser is fitted with seat heaters.
The automatic rain sensor starts the wiper when it is raining.
Additional accessories:
A high density durable, fire resistant floor mat.
A trunk mat that protects the trunk area.
Roof rail.
Price:
The price of the car ranges between Rs 8.164 million and 8.31 million. Buyers will have two options. Under one option they will have six cd, nine speakers, pioneer audio, back guide monitor, and moonroof and in the second option, you will not have these facilities.
