Author: Olly

  • BYD Atto 3 First Drive Review – An Electric Draconic Dream?

    oi-Dennis Abraham James

    Chinese
    electric
    vehicle
    manufacturer
    Build
    Your
    Dreams
    (BYD)
    is
    not
    a
    firm
    that
    many
    people
    in
    India
    are
    familiar
    with.
    After
    all
    the
    firm’s
    only
    offering
    to
    date
    has
    been
    the
    e6
    electric
    MPV
    has
    been
    on
    sale
    to
    the
    general
    public
    for
    just
    a
    few
    months
    now.

    However,
    BYD
    isn’t
    one
    to
    wait
    around
    and
    the
    Atto
    3
    is
    the
    firm’s
    new
    offering
    for
    the
    Indian
    market.
    Like
    the
    e6,
    the
    Atto
    3
    is
    powered
    by
    the
    firm’s
    revolutionary
    Blade
    battery
    pack
    that
    offers
    up
    massive
    range.
    So
    is
    the
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    what
    electric
    dreams
    are
    made
    of?
    We
    drove
    the
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    in
    Chennai
    to
    find
    out…


    BYD
    Atto
    3
    Exterior
    Design

    Dragon-faced
    Dreamer

    The
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    follows
    the
    EV
    firm’s
    Dragon
    Face
    3.0
    family
    design
    and
    when
    you
    look
    at
    this
    crossover
    from
    the
    front
    it
    does
    seem
    to
    look
    a
    bit
    like
    the
    mythical
    flame-spouting
    reptile.

    The
    Atto
    3’s
    triangular
    crystal
    LED
    combination
    headlamps
    feature
    blue
    highlights
    and
    are
    connected
    by
    a
    thick
    bar
    of
    chrome
    that
    has
    the
    words ‘BYD’ embossed
    into
    it.
    The
    front
    end
    also
    features
    what
    appear
    to
    be
    air
    intakes
    on
    either
    side
    of
    the
    front
    bumper
    that
    add
    to
    the
    sporty
    look
    of
    the
    electric
    crossover.

    The
    sides
    of
    the
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    feature
    some
    distinct
    design
    characteristics
    including
    the
    18-inch
    aero
    alloy
    wheels
    that
    immediately
    draw
    attention
    to
    themselves
    and
    the
    scale-like
    elements
    on
    the
    C-pillar
    that
    once
    again
    show
    off
    the
    draconic
    design
    language
    of
    the
    Atto
    3.
    Other
    highlights
    include
    the
    sculpted
    side
    including
    the
    thick
    character
    line
    that
    stretches
    across
    the
    doors
    of
    the
    electric
    crossover
    SUV
    and
    end
    up
    at
    the
    taillights
    along
    with
    the
    shiny
    roof
    rails
    and
    the
    bulbous
    wheelarches.

    The
    rear
    section
    of
    the
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    is
    dominated
    by
    the
    sleek
    lightbar
    style
    LED
    taillights
    above
    which
    sits
    the
    manufacturer’s
    name
    in
    a
    stylish
    font
    finished
    off
    in
    chrome.
    Also
    seen
    at
    the
    rear
    is
    the
    integrated
    roof
    spoiler
    which
    hosts
    the
    third
    brake
    light
    and
    the
    reversing
    light
    that
    sits
    low
    on
    the
    rear
    bumper.


    BYD
    Atto
    3
    Interior
    &
    Features

    Design
    Gone
    Wild

    The
    interior
    of
    the
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    is
    what
    happens
    when
    you
    allow
    the
    designers
    to
    let
    loose
    while
    shutting
    the
    paper
    pushers
    into
    a
    dark
    closet.
    The
    interior
    of
    the
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    is
    the
    place
    to
    be
    thanks
    to
    its
    quirky
    design
    features
    that
    make
    every
    time
    you
    get
    into
    its
    cabin
    a
    special
    occasion.

    Properly
    look
    inside
    the
    BYD
    Atto
    3’s
    cabin
    and
    you’ll
    find
    design
    features
    that
    are
    as
    outlandish
    as
    they
    get.
    These
    include
    the
    multilayered
    dash
    with
    the
    lower
    section
    that
    looks
    to
    be
    made
    of
    some
    sort
    of
    foam
    material.

    Other
    crazy
    design
    details
    include
    the
    dumbbell-style
    vents
    for
    the
    air
    conditioning
    system,
    the
    aircraft
    controller-like
    gear
    lever,
    the
    grip-style
    door
    handle
    and
    the
    absolutely
    nuts
    bass
    guitar
    strings
    on
    the
    lower
    section
    of
    the
    door
    that
    help
    keep
    whatever
    you’ve
    shoved
    into
    the
    door
    pockets
    from
    falling
    out.

    The
    seats
    are
    well-proportioned
    and
    plush
    and
    the
    massive
    panoramic
    sunroof
    adds
    to
    the
    airy
    and
    spacious
    feel
    of
    the
    cabin.
    The
    rear
    seats
    though
    don’t
    offer
    much
    under-thigh
    support
    which
    is
    a
    quirk
    of
    many
    born
    electric
    cars
    due
    to
    the
    batteries
    stuffed
    under
    the
    floor
    and
    the
    sloping
    roofline
    reduces
    the
    headspace
    on
    offer
    for
    taller
    people.

    However,
    the
    biggest
    highlight
    of
    the
    cabin
    is
    the
    large
    12.8-inch
    infotainment
    display.
    The
    infotainment
    display
    rotates
    from
    landscape
    to
    portrait
    mode
    at
    the
    press
    of
    a
    button
    which
    is
    a
    cool
    party
    trick
    and
    it
    supports
    Apple
    CarPlay
    and
    Android
    Auto
    (only
    wired).
    The
    driver’s
    display
    is
    another
    pain
    point
    due
    to
    its
    tiny
    size
    which
    makes
    you
    sometimes
    squint
    and
    search
    for
    the
    relevant
    data.

    The
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    also
    comes
    packed
    with
    a
    host
    of
    other
    features
    like
    a
    wireless
    charger
    for
    your
    phone,
    an
    NFC
    card
    key
    and
    an
    automatic
    tailgate
    which
    features
    an
    opening
    height
    memory
    function.
    The
    BYD
    also
    comes
    packed
    with
    a
    safety
    kit
    including
    7
    airbags,
    a
    360-degree
    camera,
    ABS,
    ESC,
    traction
    control,
    and
    hill
    descent
    control.
    The
    electric
    Atto
    3
    SUV
    also
    gets
    a
    host
    of
    ADAS
    features
    like
    automatic
    emergency
    braking,
    adaptive
    cruise
    control,
    blind
    spot
    monitoring,
    lane-keep
    assist
    and
    front
    and
    rear
    collision
    warning.


    BYD
    Atto
    3
    Performance
    &
    Driving
    Impressions

    Almost
    A
    Blade
    Revolution

    The
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    is
    powered
    by
    the
    firm’s
    revolutionary ‘Blade’ Lithium
    Ferro
    Phosphate
    (LFP)
    battery
    pack
    that
    allows
    the
    cells
    to
    be
    packed
    more
    densely
    and
    does
    away
    with
    traditional
    cooling
    solutions
    to
    help
    save
    space.
    The
    Blade
    battery
    pack
    has
    also
    undergone
    a
    host
    of
    safety
    tests
    including
    the
    bonkers
    nail
    penetration
    test.

    In
    the
    Atto
    3,
    the
    Blade
    battery
    pack
    has
    a
    capacity
    of
    60.48kWh
    which
    delivers
    an
    ARAI-certified
    range
    of
    521
    kilometres
    on
    a
    single
    charge.
    We
    will
    require
    more
    time
    with
    the
    Atto
    3
    to
    find
    out
    just
    how
    close
    it
    gets
    to
    that
    figure
    but
    in
    our
    minimal
    time
    with
    the
    electric
    SUV,
    we
    found
    it
    was
    quite
    frugal
    with
    the
    watts.

    Charging
    up
    that
    battery
    pack
    is
    quite
    quick
    especially
    when
    connected
    to
    an
    80kW
    DC
    fast
    charger
    which
    recharges
    the
    LFP
    setup
    from
    0
    to
    80
    per
    cent
    in
    just
    50
    minutes.

    The
    BYD
    Atto
    3’s
    Blade
    battery
    pack
    feeds
    a
    single
    electric
    motor
    that
    drives
    the
    front
    wheels.
    The
    Atto
    3’s
    electric
    motor
    develops
    a
    peak
    output
    of
    201.1bhp
    (150kW)
    and
    310Nm
    of
    torque.
    This
    allows
    the
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    to
    sprint
    from
    0-100km/h
    in
    7.3
    seconds
    which
    is
    quite
    brisk
    for
    a
    vehicle
    of
    its
    size
    (1,825kg).

    The
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    is
    quite
    a
    decent-sized
    vehicle
    measuring
    4,455mm
    long,
    1,865mm
    wide
    and
    1,615mm
    tall.
    The
    wheelbase
    of
    the
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    is
    2,720mm
    long
    and
    the
    ground
    clearance
    on
    offer
    is
    175mm.

    On
    the
    road,
    the
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    is
    a
    smooth
    operator
    with
    the
    linear
    delivery
    from
    the
    electric
    motor
    allowing
    for
    a
    very
    predictable
    increase
    in
    speeds.
    There
    are
    three
    driving
    modes
    on
    offer

    Eco,
    Normal
    and
    Sport

    though
    the
    difference
    between
    them
    is
    not
    very
    noticeable.

    Also
    on
    offer
    are
    two
    Regen
    modes,
    though
    once
    again
    there
    isn’t
    much
    of
    a
    noticeable
    difference.
    The
    Atto
    3
    also
    does
    not
    get
    a
    one-pedal
    driving
    feature
    which
    is
    seen
    on
    most
    other
    EVs.

    The
    suspension
    setup
    of
    the
    Atto
    3
    deals
    with
    bumps
    and
    ruts
    and
    potholes
    with
    ease.
    Big
    potholes
    and
    big
    speeds
    don’t
    gel
    well
    and
    this
    remains
    the
    case
    with
    the
    Atto
    3
    where
    some
    thuds
    can
    be
    felt
    from
    the
    lunar
    landscape
    that
    is
    many
    of
    our
    roads.

    Word
    of
    advice,
    the
    Atto
    3
    is
    best
    experienced
    in
    a
    relaxed
    manner
    so
    avoid
    those
    big
    ruts
    at
    high
    speeds.
    And
    while
    the
    Atto
    3
    is
    not
    set
    up
    for
    the
    corners
    it
    will
    take
    them
    quite
    nicely
    at
    decent
    speeds.
    Any
    quicker
    and
    the
    vagaries
    of
    the
    steering
    and
    the
    body
    roll
    start
    to
    act
    up.

    Braking
    on
    the
    Atto
    3
    is
    done
    with
    the
    help
    of
    disc
    brakes
    on
    all
    four
    wheels.
    However,
    the
    spongy
    feel
    of
    the
    brake
    pedal
    doesn’t
    really
    inspire
    confidence
    when
    you
    drop
    the
    anchors.

    The
    NVH
    levels
    inside
    the
    cabin
    of
    the
    Atto
    3
    are
    quite
    top-notch
    and
    the
    EV
    does
    its
    best
    to
    keep
    the
    noisy
    world
    outside
    from
    permeating
    inside.
    However,
    at
    low
    and
    medium
    speeds,
    a
    slight
    whining
    sound
    can
    be
    heard
    inside
    the
    Atto
    3’s
    cabin.
    Build
    quality
    is
    also
    brilliant
    on
    the
    Atto
    3
    with
    everything
    both
    inside
    and
    out
    feeling
    solid
    and
    well-made.


    Thoughts
    About
    The
    BYD
    Atto
    3

    A
    Draconic
    Dreamer

    The
    BYD
    Atto
    3
    more
    than
    lives
    up
    to
    its
    maker’s
    name
    with
    its
    very
    unique
    design
    (both
    inside
    and
    out)
    and
    a
    large
    battery
    pack
    that
    promises
    to
    keep
    range
    anxiety
    out
    of
    the
    picture.

    The
    lack
    of
    both
    charging
    and
    dealers/service
    centres
    is
    something
    that
    may
    concern
    buyers
    but
    those
    who
    dare
    step
    inside
    the
    Atto
    3
    will
    experience
    something
    that
    is
    so
    way
    out
    there
    that
    it
    promises
    to
    keep
    you
    coming
    back
    for
    another
    go.


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    Article Published On: Monday, December 12, 2022, 7:00 [IST]

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  • Tata Tiago EV First Drive Review – Electrifying The Masses

    oi-Dennis Abraham James

    Tata’s
    electrification
    of
    its
    existing
    car
    lineup
    continues
    to
    progress
    at
    breakneck
    speed.
    The
    latest
    ICE
    model
    to
    go
    down
    the
    full
    electric
    route
    is
    the
    Mumbai
    firm’s
    entry-level
    Tiago
    hatchback.

    So
    what
    all
    has
    Tata
    Motors
    changed
    to
    make
    the
    Tiago
    go
    from
    a
    dino
    burner
    to
    a
    Greenpeace
    darling?
    And
    is
    the
    switch
    to
    electric
    worth
    burning
    a
    bigger
    hole
    in
    your
    pocket
    for
    a
    compact
    hatchback?
    We
    drove
    the
    all-new
    Tata
    Tiago
    EV
    in
    Goa
    to
    find
    out…


    Tata
    Tiago
    EV
    Design
    &
    Features

    An
    Electric
    Blue
    Upgrade

    In
    terms
    of
    overall
    looks,
    the
    Tata
    Tiago
    EV
    has
    been
    given
    a
    few
    tweaks
    to
    help
    differentiate
    it
    from
    its
    internal
    combustion
    siblings.
    The
    biggest
    of
    these
    changes
    can
    be
    found
    in
    the
    teal
    blue
    accents
    that
    are
    seen
    on
    the
    Tiago
    EV’s
    exterior
    and
    interiors.

    At
    the
    front,
    the
    grille
    is
    now
    a
    closed-off
    section
    finished
    off
    in
    black
    plastic
    with
    Tata
    and
    EV
    badging
    along
    with
    arrow-shaped
    on
    each
    end.
    The
    headlights
    are
    connected
    to
    each
    other
    by
    a
    teal
    blue
    stip
    that
    runs
    underneath
    the
    closed-off
    grille.
    The
    DRLs
    sit
    lower
    on
    the
    front
    bumper
    and
    sport
    teal
    blue
    highlights
    as
    well.

    The
    sides
    of
    the
    new
    TIago
    EV
    feature
    body-coloured
    door
    handles
    with
    a
    piano
    black
    strip
    providing
    a
    bit
    of
    contrast.
    The
    other
    new
    design
    feature
    seen
    on
    Tiago
    EV’s
    exterior
    include
    the
    contrast
    black
    roof
    and
    the
    new
    14-inch
    Hyperstyle
    wheels
    that
    look
    rather
    elegant
    and
    feature
    teal
    highlights.
    The
    rear
    section
    is
    mostly
    unchanged
    except
    for
    the
    EV
    badging.

    Step
    inside
    the
    new
    Tiago
    EV
    and
    you’ll
    find
    more
    teal
    accents
    on
    the
    surrounds
    for
    the
    air-con
    vents
    along
    with
    a
    digital
    instrument
    cluster.
    Also
    seen
    is
    a
    new
    flat-bottomed
    steering
    wheel
    and
    chrome
    inner
    door
    handles.

    The
    touchscreen
    infotainment
    setup
    is
    the
    same
    7-inch
    unit
    and
    features
    Android
    Auto
    and
    Apple
    CarPlay
    connectivity.
    The
    infotainment
    system
    can
    also
    be
    used
    to
    access
    Tata’s
    ZConnect
    suite
    of
    45
    connected
    car
    features
    which
    includes
    access
    to
    telematics
    for
    the
    first
    time
    in
    the
    segment.
    Owners
    can
    also
    access
    the
    ZConnect
    suite
    on
    their
    phones
    and
    on
    compatible
    smartwatches.

    The
    new
    Tiago
    EV
    also
    comes
    packed
    with
    safety
    gear
    including
    dual
    front
    airbags,
    ABS
    with
    EBD,
    reversing
    camera,
    tyre
    pressure
    monitoring
    and
    more.


    Tata
    Tiago
    EV
    Powertrain
    &
    Driving
    Impressions

    Electric
    Zippyness

    The
    Tata
    Tiago
    EV
    is
    offered
    with
    a
    choice
    of
    two
    battery
    packs.
    The
    smaller
    19.2kWh
    battery
    pack
    has
    a
    claimed
    range
    of
    250km
    and
    comes
    with
    a
    3.3kW
    home
    charger
    as
    standard.
    This
    version
    of
    the
    Tiago
    EV
    gets
    a
    single
    electric
    motor
    with
    60.3bhp
    and
    110Nm
    of
    peak
    torque
    and
    can
    go
    from
    0-60km/h
    in
    a
    claimed
    6.2
    seconds.

    We
    drove
    the
    higher-specced
    Tiago
    EV
    with
    the
    larger
    24kWh
    battery
    pack
    which
    is
    offered
    with
    both
    3.3kWh
    and
    7.2Kwh
    AC
    home
    charging
    options.
    Both
    versions
    of
    the
    Tiago
    EV
    support
    50kW
    DC
    fast
    charging
    which
    can
    recharge
    the
    battery
    pack
    from
    10-80
    per
    cent
    in
    just
    57
    minutes.

    This
    higher-spec
    Tiago
    EV
    is
    powered
    by
    a
    single
    electric
    motor
    with
    73.75bhp
    and
    114Nm
    of
    peak
    torque.
    Tata
    claims
    that
    this
    version
    of
    the
    Tiago
    EV
    can
    go
    from
    0-60
    in
    5.7
    seconds
    while
    offering
    a
    claimed
    range
    of
    315km.

    During
    our
    time
    with
    the
    Tiago
    EV,
    we
    found
    the
    0-60km/h
    sprint
    times
    to
    be
    quite
    believable
    as
    the
    electric
    hatchback
    accelerates
    like
    nothing
    else
    in
    the
    price
    bracket.
    There
    are
    two
    driving
    modes
    on
    offer

    City
    &
    Sport

    but
    we
    found
    the
    only
    major
    difference
    between
    them
    to
    be
    the
    sensitivity
    of
    the
    throttle
    pedal.

    The
    Tiago
    EV
    also
    offers
    four
    levels
    of
    regen
    ranging
    from
    Mode
    0
    to
    Mode
    3.
    In
    Mode
    0,
    regen
    is
    non-existent
    while
    Mode
    3
    allows
    for
    single-pedal
    driving.
    However,
    regen
    is
    not
    available
    if
    the
    battery
    charge
    is
    above
    80
    per
    cent.
    Also,
    one-pedal
    driving
    is
    not
    on
    offer
    under
    9km/h
    as
    the
    Tiago
    EV’s
    creep
    mode
    kicks
    in
    allowing
    for
    easier
    driving
    in
    bumper-to-bumper
    and
    stop-and-go
    traffic.

    We
    found
    the
    steering
    to
    be
    quite
    light
    and
    easy
    to
    use
    at
    slow
    speeds
    and
    in
    city
    traffic.
    When
    we
    did
    get
    time
    to
    put
    our
    foot
    down,
    the
    steering
    also
    weighed
    up
    nicely
    which
    inspired
    quite
    a
    bit
    of
    confidence.

    The
    suspension
    setup
    on
    the
    Tiago
    EV
    has
    been
    softened
    to
    help
    the
    slightly
    heavier
    electric
    hatch
    deal
    with
    the
    potholes
    and
    bumps
    on
    our
    roads.
    However,
    despite
    the
    slightly
    softer
    suspension,
    we
    found
    that
    Tiago
    EV
    was
    quite
    stable
    in
    the
    corners
    thanks
    to
    the
    negligible
    body
    roll.

    The
    braking
    performance
    of
    the
    Tiago
    EV
    is
    quite
    adequate
    and
    the
    feel
    from
    the
    pedal
    is
    rather
    accurate.
    While
    we
    didn’t
    have
    much
    time
    to
    test
    the
    Tiago
    EV’s
    range
    claims,
    we
    feel
    that
    with
    the
    larger
    battery
    pack
    and
    a
    good
    bit
    of
    heavy
    regen,
    the
    Tiago
    EV
    can
    easily
    deliver
    a
    driving
    range
    of
    around
    220
    to
    230km.


    Tata
    Tiago
    EV

    Final
    Impressions
    About
    The
    EV
    For
    the
    Masses

    The
    Tata
    Tiago
    EV
    looks
    to
    be
    the
    perfect
    choice
    for
    somebody
    looking
    to
    head
    into
    the
    world
    of
    EVs
    to
    test
    the
    electric
    revolution
    for
    themselves.
    The
    new
    Tiago
    EV
    is
    zippy
    and
    we
    would
    recommend
    splurging
    a
    bit
    a
    going
    for
    the
    larger
    battery
    pack
    version
    of
    the
    electric
    hatchback.


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    Article Published On: Wednesday, December 21, 2022, 10:00 [IST]

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  • Toyota Innova HyCross First Drive Review – Hybrid Innovation

    oi-Dennis Abraham James

    The
    Toyota
    Innova
    has
    been
    the
    mainstay
    of
    the
    premium
    MPV
    market
    since
    it
    first
    arrived
    in
    2005
    to
    replace
    the
    outgoing
    Qualis.
    Over
    the
    years,
    the
    Toyota
    Innova
    has
    undergone
    quite
    a
    few
    changes
    as
    it
    kept
    up
    with
    the
    times
    and
    gave
    other
    carmakers
    a
    never-ending
    migraine.

    In
    2016,
    Toyota
    updated
    the
    MPV
    and
    gave
    it
    the
    Innova
    Crysta
    nameplate.
    The
    new
    Innova
    Crysta
    sported
    an
    updated
    design
    that
    ensure
    it
    remained
    a
    hit
    and
    the
    comfort
    levels
    inside
    went
    up
    another
    notch.
    Under
    the
    bonnet,
    the
    presence
    of
    two
    diesel
    engines
    meant
    that
    it
    became
    a
    favourite
    of
    the
    mile
    muncher
    brigade
    as
    well.

    Now,
    more
    than
    six
    years
    after
    the
    Crysta’s
    arrival
    and
    17
    years
    after
    the
    OG
    Innova
    hit
    the
    streets,
    Toyota
    has
    changed
    the
    game
    once
    again
    with
    its
    innovative
    MPV.
    Now
    bearing
    the
    name
    Innova
    HyCross,
    the
    premium
    family
    carrier
    has
    gone
    down
    the
    SUV
    design
    path
    and
    sports
    an
    innovative
    strong
    hybrid
    setup
    under
    the
    bonnet
    which
    promises
    to
    make
    up
    for
    the
    lack
    of
    an
    oil
    burner.

    So
    just
    how
    much
    has
    the
    all-new
    Toyota
    Innova
    HyCross
    changed
    the
    game?
    Have
    the
    innovations
    made
    it
    an
    even
    more
    attractive
    proposition?
    We
    drove
    the
    Toyota
    Innova
    Hycross
    in
    Bangalore
    to
    find
    out…


    Toyota
    Innova
    HyCross
    Exterior
    Design

    Going
    Down
    The
    SUV
    Hyway

    The
    Toyota
    Innovas
    of
    the
    yesteryears
    all
    looked
    like
    a
    proper
    MPV
    should
    with
    curves
    in
    all
    the
    right
    places.
    However,
    with
    SUVs
    becoming
    the
    go-to
    vehicles
    for
    buyers
    today,
    the
    design
    masters
    at
    Toyota
    decided
    that
    it
    was
    time
    the
    new
    Innova
    went
    down
    the
    SUV
    design
    path.

    At
    the
    front,
    the
    all-new
    Innova
    HyCross
    features
    an
    upright
    nose
    section
    with
    a
    large
    hexagonal
    grille
    that
    features
    chunky
    chrome
    surrounds.
    The
    grille
    is
    flanked
    on
    either
    side
    by
    edgy
    wraparound
    headlamps
    with
    triple
    LED
    lights,
    LED
    position
    lamps
    and
    a
    chrome
    strip
    running
    across
    the
    top.
    The
    bonnet
    also
    features
    some
    bulges
    that
    add
    to
    the
    butch
    SUV
    looks
    of
    the
    new
    Innova.

    Lower
    down
    on
    the
    front
    chunky
    front
    bumper
    is
    where
    you’ll
    find
    triangular
    cutouts
    which
    house
    the
    dual-purpose
    LED
    DRLs
    that
    also
    act
    as
    the
    turn
    indicators.
    Also
    seen
    is
    a
    large
    air
    dam
    section
    split
    into
    two
    with
    the
    lower
    portion
    flanked
    on
    either
    side
    by
    what
    appear
    to
    be
    fog
    lamps.

    The
    sides
    of
    the
    new
    Innova
    HyCross
    sport
    the
    chunky
    wheelarches
    that
    play
    host
    to
    large
    18-inch
    alloy
    wheels
    shod
    with
    225/50
    R18
    tyres.
    The
    front
    and
    rear
    flanks
    are
    accentuated
    by
    the
    design
    lines
    of
    the
    new
    HyCross
    and
    give
    the
    MPV
    a
    very
    muscular
    look.

    The
    rear
    section
    of
    the
    new
    Innova
    sports
    sleek
    wraparound
    LED
    taillights
    that
    are
    connected
    by
    a
    thick
    strip
    of
    chrome.
    Also
    seen
    is
    an
    integrated
    roof
    spoiler
    that
    plays
    host
    to
    the
    third
    brake
    light.
    The
    new
    tailgate
    is
    a
    powered
    unit,
    so
    getting
    it
    open
    when
    you
    have
    the
    groceries
    is
    a
    breeze
    now.


    Toyota
    Innova
    Hycross
    Interior
    &
    Features

    Hy
    On
    The
    Luxury
    Quotient

    The
    Toyota
    Innova’s
    interiors
    have
    always
    been
    quite
    upmarket
    but
    the
    new
    Innova
    HyCross
    takes
    cabin
    luxury
    to
    a
    whole
    new
    level
    of
    indulgence.

    At
    the
    front,
    the
    multi-layered
    dashboard
    features
    quite
    a
    bit
    of
    soft-touch
    material
    and
    features
    quite
    a
    bit
    of
    quirky
    innovations.
    The
    dominant
    central
    section
    flows
    down
    from
    the
    large
    10.1-inch
    infotainment
    display
    into
    the
    controls
    for
    the
    multi-zone
    climate
    control
    system
    and
    the
    high-mounted
    gear
    lever.

    Another
    quirk
    is
    the
    placement
    of
    the
    wireless
    phone
    charger
    that
    sits
    in
    its
    own
    slot
    in
    the
    dash
    just
    above
    the
    glove
    box.
    On
    the
    other
    side
    of
    the
    dash,
    behind
    the
    large
    steering
    wheel
    sits
    a
    7-inch
    driver’s
    display
    flanked
    by
    gauges
    on
    either
    side
    with
    the
    one
    on
    the
    left
    giving
    more
    details
    about
    the
    innovative
    hybrid
    system.

    While
    the
    dashboard
    and
    its
    gadgets
    are
    quite
    a
    big
    upgrade,
    the
    Innova
    HyCross
    is
    in
    essence
    a
    premium
    MPV
    and
    its
    cabin
    more
    than
    matches
    any
    expectations
    you
    could
    have.
    The
    top
    ZX-spec
    HyCross
    models
    sport
    Dark
    Chestnut
    Art
    leather
    upholstery
    that
    ups
    the
    luxury
    quotient
    of
    the
    Innova.

    The
    front
    seats
    are
    ventilated
    with
    the
    driver’s
    seat
    getting
    8-way
    power
    adjustment
    and
    memory
    function.
    However,
    the
    second
    row
    of
    seats
    are
    the
    ones
    you
    want
    to
    be
    in
    the
    new
    Innova
    HyCross.

    With
    the
    new
    powered
    Ottoman
    function
    enabled,
    these
    large
    captain-style
    seats
    allow
    you
    to
    stretch
    out
    in
    style.
    You
    can
    lie
    back
    and
    see
    the
    world
    through
    the
    large
    panoramic
    sunroof
    while
    enjoying
    your
    favourite
    tunes
    through
    the
    infotainment
    setup
    (with
    support
    for
    Android
    Auto
    and
    Apple
    CarPlay)
    that
    comes
    paired
    with
    a
    premium
    9-unit
    (8
    speakers
    &
    1
    subwoofer)
    audio
    system
    from
    JBL.

    The
    third
    row
    of
    seats
    isn’t
    one
    to
    scoff
    at
    either.
    There
    is
    quite
    a
    bit
    of
    space
    on
    offer
    and
    these
    seats
    also
    recline
    so
    long
    journeys
    shouldn’t
    be
    much
    of
    a
    hassle
    if
    you
    find
    yourself
    delegated
    there.

    The
    new
    Innova
    HyCross
    comes
    packed
    with
    features
    including
    multiple
    charging
    ports
    for
    your
    devices,
    rear
    sunshades,
    electrochromic
    IRVM,
    the
    aforementioned
    power
    tailgate
    and
    multi-zone
    climate
    control
    with
    automatic
    controls
    for
    the
    rear
    blowers.
    Also
    seen
    is
    Toyota’s
    i-Connect
    connected
    car
    suite
    which
    adds
    65+
    features
    like
    remote
    ignition
    start/stop,
    remote
    door
    lock/unlock,
    remote
    AC
    control
    and
    more
    that
    can
    be
    controlled
    through
    your
    phone
    and
    smartwatch.

    The
    new
    HyCross
    also
    features
    a
    host
    of
    safety
    features
    like
    6
    airbags,
    vehicle
    stability
    control,
    hill
    start
    assist,
    reverse
    parking
    camera,
    front
    and
    rear
    parking
    sensors
    and
    a
    360-degree
    camera.

    The
    new
    HyCross
    also
    sports
    the
    Toyota
    Safety
    Sense
    suite
    of
    advanced
    driver
    aids.
    These
    driver
    aids
    include
    dynamic
    radar-guided
    cruise
    control,
    lane
    trace
    assist,
    blind
    spot
    monitoring,
    and
    pre-collision
    warning
    among
    others.


    Toyota
    Innova
    HyCross
    Driving
    Impressions

    Hybrid
    Innovation
    Shining
    Through

    The
    Toyota
    Innova
    HyCross
    is
    offered
    with
    a
    choice
    of
    two
    powertrains
    in
    India.
    The
    regular
    2.0-litre
    petrol
    model
    pushes
    out
    172bhp
    and
    205Nm
    of
    peak
    torque
    and
    is
    connected
    to
    a
    CVT
    gearbox
    that
    sends
    power
    to
    the
    front
    wheels
    (another
    first
    for
    an
    Innova).

    The
    other
    powertrain
    option

    the
    one
    that
    lends
    the
    new
    Innova
    its
    HyCross
    name

    features
    a
    2.0-litre
    Atkinson
    cycle
    engine
    producing
    150bhp
    and
    187Nm
    of
    peak
    torque
    and
    an
    electric
    motor
    that
    pushes
    out
    111bhp
    and
    206Nm
    of
    torque.
    The
    powertrain
    is
    paired
    to
    an
    e-CVT
    gearbox
    (sending
    power
    to
    the
    front
    wheels)
    and
    Toyota
    has
    limited
    the
    peak
    power
    output
    to
    186bhp.

    We
    got
    to
    drive
    the
    all-new
    Innova
    HyCross
    hybrid
    and
    found
    the
    power
    delivery
    from
    the
    petro-electrical
    mashup
    to
    be
    quite
    linear.
    The
    HyCross
    features
    a
    brand
    new
    monocoque
    setup
    which
    has
    made
    it
    quite
    a
    bit
    lighter
    than
    its
    predecessor
    and
    this
    combined
    with
    the
    more
    than
    adequate
    acceleration
    levels
    from
    the
    hybrid
    powertrain
    allows
    the
    big
    MPV
    to
    smoothly
    cruise
    its
    way
    up
    to
    triple
    digits.

    The
    new
    Innova
    Hycross
    sports
    a
    rather
    soft
    suspension
    setup
    that
    allows
    it
    to
    smother
    out
    the
    effect
    of
    bumps
    and
    ruts
    on
    the
    road
    with
    ease
    and
    makes
    long
    journeys
    a
    breeze,
    something
    that
    is
    no
    doubt
    aided
    by
    the
    excellent
    NVH
    levels
    inside
    the
    cabin.

    However,
    don’t
    expect
    the
    new
    Hycross
    to
    take
    corners
    like
    a
    champ
    as
    despite
    the
    new
    monocoque
    frame,
    the
    soft
    suspension
    setup
    means
    that
    there
    is
    quite
    a
    bit
    of
    body
    roll
    when
    you
    push
    this
    big
    behemoth
    through
    a
    sharp
    curve
    on
    the
    road.

    The
    Innova
    HyCross
    also
    features
    quite
    good
    levels
    of
    regen
    which
    can
    be
    tweaked
    with
    the
    help
    of
    the
    paddle
    shifters
    and
    this
    combined
    with
    the
    all-wheel
    disc
    brakes
    means
    that
    the
    new
    Toyota
    MPV
    comes
    to
    halt
    without
    much
    fuss.


    Final
    Thoughts
    About
    The
    Toyota
    Innova
    HyCross

    A
    Hylight
    Reel
    Of
    Innovations

    The
    all-new
    Toyota
    Innova
    HyCross
    not
    only
    lives
    up
    to
    the
    legacy
    of
    the
    premium
    MPV
    but
    takes
    it
    to
    a
    whole
    new
    level
    with
    its
    innovative
    new
    hybrid
    powertrain
    and
    luxurious
    interiors.
    While
    we
    would
    have
    liked
    a
    bit
    more
    time
    behind
    the
    wheel,
    the
    new
    Toyota
    Innova
    HyCross
    seems
    set
    to
    take
    forward
    the
    dominance
    of
    its
    predecessors
    into
    a
    new
    Hybrid
    era.


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    Article Published On: Tuesday, December 6, 2022, 12:05 [IST]

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