At the start of 2020, Toyota launched the BS6-compliant Innova Crysta, and conspicuous by its absence was the 2.8-litre diesel engine, which had been offered with the popular MPV for years as an option for those seeking more power. The Innova Crysta entered the BS6 era with a single diesel engine option, and Toyota has now confirmed the 2.8-litre diesel will not be reintroduced on the MPV.
Speaking on the #LiveWithAutocar chat on Instagram, Naveen Soni, senior vice president, sales and service, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said that demand for the smaller 2.4-litre diesel was higher, and the company decided to rationalise the engine options and go with just the 2.4 diesel for the Innova Crysta.
“Customer choices and preferences for the Innova Crysta were greatly inclined towards the 2.4-litre diesel, and we decided to rationalise the engine options, so the 2.8-litre diesel is for the Fortuner, and the 2.4-litre diesel is for the Innova Crysta”, Soni said.
The trusty 2.4-litre diesel has been upgraded to meet BS6 norms with the help of a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). With the 2.8 diesel no longer on offer, the 2.4-litre diesel – which could previously only be had with a 5-speed manual gearbox – now also comes with the option of a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
The switch to BS6 compliance brought a major hike in prices for the Innova Crysta, and the axing of the 177hp, 2.8-litre diesel version – which was only available with an automatic gearbox – also helps Toyota keep prices in check. While the standard BS6-petrol Innova Crysta is anywhere between Rs 11,000 to Rs 43,000 more expensive, prices for the standard Innova Crysta BS6 diesel are up by Rs 39,000 to as high as Rs 1.12 lakh. Toyota is set to further hike prices in the time to come.
At present, Toyota is focused on minimising the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its dealers and customers. In addition to extending the validity of warranty and services for its customers, the company has also rolled out a special 'COVID package’ for its dealer partners to protect their cash flows at this time.
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