Story & photos by Patrick Tulfo
TOYOTA is poised to take the country by storm yet again with the launch of the All-New Innova. The presentation, held at the classy Bellevue resort on Panglao Island, Bohol, saw Toyota flying over 40 members of the motoring media to serve as witnesses.
The Innova completed the overhaul of the company’s International Innovative Multpurpose Vehicle (IMV) lineup, which was first introduced in the country in 2005. The IMV is an ingenious concept of Toyota, wherein it built three models using the same platform, engine and parts to save costs.
The Hilux, Fortuner and the Innova make up the triumvirate of IMV models, which are also being marketed in other countries. They had their first major change 10 years after their introduction. The Hilux was first introduced at the end of 2015, followed by the Fortuner last month and, last, the Innova. Of the three models, the Innova enjoys an immense popularity among Toyota buyers, as shown by the number of sales of the previous model.
This may also be the reason it was the last to be introduced to whet the appetite of the buyers.
The new Innova still carries the overall profile of the previous generation but has been redesigned immensely. According to executive chief engineer Hiroshi Nakajima, his vision of the new Innova is that “the MPV designed for multiperformance.” Nakajima was not lying when he said all-new model now marries the essence of the MPV to the tough and emotional elements that make it highly functional.
Everything about the Innova has been designed to appeal to the emotions, from the new front end that now carries a new chrome grill design, which proudly displays the famous Toyota logo, to the elegantly sculpted side profile, which well with bulging wheel wells finished off with a new pair of tail lamps that go well with the new aerodynamic spoiler in the rear.
Inside, drivers and passengers will be treated to an all-new dashboard layout that’s definitely light-years away from the one found on the previous model. Buyers of the top-grade model will admire the HD multi-information display, touchscreen capacitive audio system with built-in navigation and a faux wood panel that adds an elegant flair. At the rear, passengers’ attention will immediately be captured by a sculpted aircon vents with a faux wood paneling located above the vents that is finished off with a pair of adjustable mood lights on both sides.
Toyota may have also introduced another first in the segment, a pair of folding tables, which hold food and beverage for the second-row passengers. Other notable features are the cooler box and a smart push start with keyless entry. The third row can now be easily folded up and the second-row features a one-touch button operation to free up much-needed space.
Safety-wise, it may have again set another industry standard in the segment, aside from the usual Dual airbags for the driver and front passengers. The top variant now offers a knee bag for the driver, aside from a curtain shield airbag for the front and rear passengers. The following day, we put the Innova through its paces to see what it can do. The engines are a 2.8-liter Direct Injection common rail with variable nozzle turbo (VNT) and the 2.0 gasoline engine with Dual VVTI (Variable Valve Timing Intelligent control) that provide seamless acceleration.
The new 1GD-FTV diesel engine is now Euro 4-compliant, while the 1TR-FE 2.0 gasoline is said to be more economical than before. One can have either a six-speed transmission, with sequential control or a five-speed manual transmission depending on which variant one will choose.
We were not able to test its full capability, as we prudently limited our speed within legal limits for the safety of townspeople, who were lucky enough to get a first look at the Innova before their Manila counterparts.
A short stretch of rough road going to a scenic seaside destination gave us a glimpse at how the suspension behaves. It performed admirably both in the handling and ride departments.
While trudging through the patch of rough road, I remembered what chief engineer Nakajima said that the Innova was designed as a multiperformance vehicle that is able to assume an all-around role for the closely knit Filipino extended household, which usually includes the grandparents.
The first iteration of the Innova, as well as the rest of the IMV lineup, was already a game changer, able to keep up with what others had to offer throughout its run. Now Toyota again is poised to dominate the scene with this new models.
Image credits: Patrick Tulfo