Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) will be unveiling its new compact SUV for the Indian market on July 1, 2022. The automaker has sent a 'block your date' invite with the media promising a "big announcement" on the aforementioned date. The upcoming compact SUV is expected to be called the Toyota Hyryder and has been co-developed by Suzuki and Toyota as part of its global partnership. It seems the upcoming offering will first debut as a Toyota-badged model, while the Maruti Suzuki-badged iteration will follow soon. Interestingly, the unveiling will take place a day after Maruti Suzuki launches the new-generation Vitara Brezza, which will spawn the next-generation Urban Cruiser in the Toyota family.
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The upcoming Toyota compact SUV has been spotted on several occasions and is expected to sport a crossover design
Details about the upcoming Toyota Hyryder are yet to be revealed. The SUV is expected to the Toyota family design language, while the highlight will be its new strong hybrid engine. The newly-developed motor is expected to be a 1.5-litre petrol engine supported by an electric motor that will help the automaker compensate for the absence of a diesel engine in its line-up. The base trims are likely to get a mild-hybrid petrol engine, possibly the 1.5-litre K-Series motor from the new Ertiga and XL6. Transmission options will include a manual and an automatic.
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The new compact SUV will be underpinned by Toyota's and Daihatsu's new-gen architecture (DNGA)
The new Toyota Hyryder will be premium in appeal, taking on the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor and the likes. Expect the model to be loaded on tech with a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, a head-up display, electrically adjustable driver's seat, touchscreen infotainment system and more. Toyota is making a late entry into the compact SUV segment but the hybrid powertrain should give it a definitive edge over rivals with a fuel efficiency figure better than that of diesel offerings. There's no word on the pricing yet but we expect the model to be priced from under Rs. 10 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards, going up to Rs. 16 lakh, depending on the variant. The Maruti Suzuki version could get a slightly more competitive price tag.
Toyota has at least three new models lined up for launch in the second half of 2022. This includes the new compact SUV, the next generation Urban Cruiser and the new Innova Hycross. The latter is expected to be a monocoque-based Innova that will be powered by the new strong hybrid motor. It will reportedly be sold alongside the Innova Crysta in the automaker's stable. More details on the future line-up will be revealed in the coming weeks.
