Toyota Kirloskar
Motor is planning to launch the Vellfire in India. The company's intentions
were revealed when it showcased the luxury MPV at a private event previously,
and now, it is being displayed to prospective buyers before its launch in
October.
The Toyota Vellfire
is the fancier version of the Toyota Alphard which was previously under
consideration for the Indian market. It is the most luxurious people mover that
is built by Toyota and it competes with the likes of Mercedes V-Class. In the
international market, the Toyota Vellfire is offered in two body styles -
Standard Body and Aero Body. As the name suggests, the latter is the more
aggressively styled version, but India is getting the former apparently.
In terms of
dimensions, the Toyota Vellfire measures 4,935 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width
and 1,935 mm/1,950 mm in height. The ground clearance varies from 160 mm to 170
mm depending on the selected configuration. In terms of mechanicals, there will
be no market-specific changes.
Toyota makes the
Vellfire with the 2AR-FE 2.5-litre petrol engine (182 PS/235 Nm) mated to a CVT
and the 2GR-FKS 3.5-litre petrol engine (301 PS/361 Nm) linked to an 8-speed
AT, as well as a hybrid powertrain comprising the 2AR-FXE 2.5-litre petrol
engine (152 PS/206 Nm), the 2JM electric motor (143 PS/270 Nm) and the 2FM
electric motor (68 PS/139 Nm). In India, the hybrid powertrain will be
standard. Depending on the trim, the fuel economy rating (JC08) of the hybrid
variant is either 18.4 km/l or 19.4 km/l.
Inside, the
Indian-spec Toyota Vellfire features faux-wood treatment on the dashboard, gear
lever, steering wheel and other places which ups the luxury quotient of the
MPV. Toyota makes the Vellfire in 7- and 8-seat versions and India is
apparently getting the comfort-oriented version with captain seats in the
middle row.
As per the previous
leaked brochure, the Toyota Vellfire in India will be kitted with features such
as LED headlights with cornering lamps, sequential turn indicators, power slide
& back doors, 7 airbags, powered extendable Ottoman full recline seats,
twin moonroof, multi-colour ambient lighting, individual seat tables, seat
ventilation, heating and memory functions and Black/Flaxen interior.
The Toyota Vellfire
is expected to be launched in October this year and will retail at around INR
75 lakh (ex-showroom).
