Iconic British motorToyota Kirloskar Motor has launched the new generation of its luxury MPV, the Vellfire in the Indian market. The car which has made its way to India barely a few weeks after its global debut, has been fairly popular in our country amongst the rich and famous. It has come in a strong hybrid avatar which ensures better fuel efficiency just like some other cars from brand on sale in India. These include the Camry, Innova Hycross and even the Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
Design
The look the car has changed a fair bit when compared to the previous generation, however it looks as imposing as earlier if not more. According to Toyota, to create that feeling of power, as if the vehicles were charging forward, the car has been designed with a reverse slant for the emblem, stretching from front to back. The brand also says that sharp dynamic character lines on the sides symbolise strength and stability. The new Vellfire is offered in 3 exterior colours – Platinum Pearl White, Jet Black and Precious Metal and 3 interior colors – Neutral Beige, Black and Sunset Brown which is a new option.
Interiors
The cabin of the new Vellfire is all about luxury and Toyota says it now gets increased seat spacing. The side quarter trim on the third row of seats and the backdoor trim have been made thinner. You get a newly developed 14-inch infotainment system with 15 JBL Speakers along with Apple Car Play & Android Auto compatibility in the car. The 2nd row seats are massage function enabled while a detachable power control device is provided to the occupants for customizing comfort with pre-set modes. The MPV also gets Toyota’s first-ever powered ‘pull-down sun blinds’ with independently operable moonroof shades which enables users to block excess sunlight. The higher Executive lounge trim offers 14-inch rear Seat entertainment system as standard.
Engine
The Vellfire runs on a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder Petrol engine that offers maximum power output of 142 kW and a peak torque of 240 Nm @ 4300-4500 rpm. It is also coupled with electric motor and a hybrid battery, which promises lower emissions and a fuel efficiency of 19.28 kmpl. The vehicle is built on the TNGA platform that ensures enhanced rigidity and stability. Toyota is also promising superior ride quality on the car with shock absorbers that mechanically adjust damping force based on road surface vibrations. Measures have also been implemented to minimize road and wind noise, including low-noise tyres and sound-absorbing materials, according to the brand.
Safety
The new Vellfire gets Drive Assist features like Pre-Collision Safety, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Trace Assist, Adaptive High Beam LED Headlamps and Blind Spot Monitor. You also have 6 Airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, Panoramic View Monitor, Parking Assist Alerts and Hill Assist Control. Then there are more than 60 connected features like remote door lock/unlock, air conditioning, emergency services, vehicle diagnostics and driver monitoring alerts.
Prices
The MPV is available in 2 variants ‘VIP Grade – Executive Lounge’ and ‘Hi Grade’. They are priced at Rs. 1.29 crore and Rs. 1.19 crore, ex-showroom respectively.
The car is being offered with a warranty of 3 years or 1 lakh kms and an option of extended warranty of up to 5 years or 2.20 lakh kms and 3 years free roadside assistance. Warranty on Hybrid battery is 8 years or 1.60 lakh kms. Deliveries are expected to commence from November 2023.
The author is a Senior Editor at carandbike.com.