Toyota Motor Corporation is a Japanese automobile manufacturing company founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda. In 1997, they formed a joint venture, the Toyota Kirloskar Motors Private Limited (TKM) with Kirloskar Groups to sell and manufacture Toyota brand vehicles. In 2002, Toyota Camry was the first car to be launched in India. TKM has two production units in the state of Karnataka. The various models of Toyota cars like the Corolla, Qualis, Innova, Etios, Etios Liva and Fortuner are assembled locally.
Toyota Rush is an internationally acclaimed compact SUV. This seven-seater family car has already been launched in Asia Pacific. As India is an important and large market, TKM is planning to launch the Rush very soon – mostly in the last quarter of 2014 or the first quarter of 2015. The company is hoping to repeat the success of their earlier introductions – the Qualis and Innova.
It is expected that the variants launched in Malaysia will be the ones to be introduced in India at first, with slight changes. The petrol versions will have a 1500 cc DHOC engine with a Variable Valve Timing Injection giving a mileage of about 14 kmpl. The diesel version will use a 1495 cc, 109 bhp, and 4-cylinder 3SZ-VE engine with an expected mileage of 17 kmpl. The transmission will be 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. The first variants to be introduced will be the Rush 1.5 G MT, 1.5 G AT and 1.5 S AT.
Toyota Rush will come with a trendy rugged look with the bold grille, an appealing headlamp cluster, well laid out roof rails and 16€ alloy wheels. The rear will have a spoiler, spare tyre cover and high mounted stoplights. In the higher variant 1.5 S AT, fog lamps will be available. The headlights will be reflector type for the base versions and the projector type for the higher variant. The interiors of the Rush will be spacious with adjustable fabric covered seats. The rear seats will be completely foldable. An automatic AC system, a music system with a 2-DIN tuner and six speakers, leather wrapped steering wheel, power windows and a jam protector mechanism on the driver side door are some of the notable internal features.
As far as safety is concerned, ABS, EMD, a collapsible steering column, an auto locking system, dual airbags for the front passengers and an engine immobilizer will be provided. The brakes will be disc type at the front and the drum type at the rear.
The Rush will be priced between Rupees 8 lakh and 11 lakh. The main competitors of Rush in the Indian market will be rival SUVs like Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and Mahindra SUV 500.
