6 Electrified Toyotas Lined Up For Launch: eBella To New Fortuner
Toyota now has a strong foothold in the Indian market. The Japanese manufacturer’s present portfolio spans across segments and price ranges. In the coming years, it plans to further expand this. This time, there will be an increased focus on introducing electrified models- both EVs and hybrids. Here is a closer look at six electrified Toyotas expected to launch in the future
Toyota’s first electric vehicle (EV) for India will launch in May this year. Called the Urban Cruiser Ebella, it will be a badge-engineered version of the Maruti Suzuki eVitara. The carmaker has already started accepting orders although the prices haven’t been revealed yet. We expect the ex-showroom figures to sit in the range of Rs 16-20 lakh- on par with the eVitara’s pricing. The eBella will be offered in three trims- E1, E2 and E3.
The eBella will have notable design differences from the eVitara. It will get a new front fascia with new LED headlamps and eyebrow-style DRLs. The grille section and front bumper will also be new. The eBella will ride on 18-inch aero-optimized alloy wheels and will have body cladding, C-pillar-mounted rear door handles and more. The rear will get a redesigned LED light bar.
This EV will share most of its cabin design and features with the eVitara. It will come with a 10.25-inch infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster, JBL audio, sunroof, Level 2 ADAS, ventilated seats, and more.
Under the skin, the eBella will be the same as the eVitarra. It will be based on the same Heartect-e platform, co-developed by Toyota, Suzuki and Daihatsu. It will come with two battery pack choices- 49 kWh and 61 kWh, and a front-mounted motor.
On the larger battery version, it generates 174hp while on the smaller one, it will have an output of 144hp. Toque in both cases, will be 189Nm. The 61kWh battery is claimed to deliver a range of 543km per charge. The smaller unit, on the other hand, will have a range of 440km.
Maruti Suzuki’s second EV for India will be an electric MPV which is currently codenamed YMC. Toyota will also have its own badge-engineered version of this vehicle. It will be underpinned by the same Heartect-e platform found in the Ebella, and will likely use similar battery pack sizes as the Maruti Suzuki counterpart. It will, however, have Toyota’s signature cues in its exterior design.
Another launch expected from the carmaker is a seven-seat SUV based on the Urban Cruiser Hyryder. It is likely to debut around the festive season this year. It will be Toyota’s answer to the growing demand for practical three-row SUVs. Test miles show a longer rear overhang and a stretched profile to accommodate the third row. When launched, it will compete with models like the Hyundai Alcazar, Tata Safari and the Mahindra XUV 7XO.
This seven-seater is expected to borrow its powertrains from the regular Hyryder. It will then come with the option of a 1.5L mild hybrid petrol and 1.5L strong hybrid petrol. The strong hybrid will have high fuel efficiency as its key selling point. This SUV is also expected to get an All Wheel Drive (AWD) option.
Toyota is also working on the next-generation Fortuner. Expected to debut globally by mid-2026, it will have significant design changes and a major overhaul of the interior design and packaging. The front fascia and rear end are expected to witness major styling changes. The silhouette is expected to remain largely unchanged.
Inside, the new Fortuner will feel a lot more premium than the outgoing model and will get features like a larger infotainment system, fully digital driver’s display, advanced connected car technologies, and even an ADAS suite.
The new SUV will be based on an updated IMV ladder-frame platform and is expected to use the outgoing model’s engine options- 2.7L naturally aspirated petrol and 2.8L turbocharged diesel. The latter will come with a 48V mild-hybrid technology. The IMV platform is already known for its ruggedness, structural rigidity, durability and off-road friendliness.
Another expected launch is the new, ninth-generation Toyota Hilux. Expected to launch in late 2026, it will be based on the upgraded IMV platform. The new truck will follow a bold new design language and will have a significantly more comfortable cabin. It will come with features like a 12.3-inch infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, ADAS and more. Many of these are not offered on the outgoing model.
The next-generation Hilux will continue with the 2.8L diesel engine, offered with the 48V mild hybrid technology. This generation is also available as an EV in global markets. It remains to be seen if that version would be brought to the Indian market.
Toyota will discontinue the Innova Crysta around March next year. The MPV which enjoys great acceptance in both private and commercial segments will be replaced with lower-spec variants of the Hycross. Now, the 2.0L strong hybrid powertrain is only available on higher variants of the Hycross. Targeted primarily at the fleet segment, the lower-spec strong hybrid variants will lose some equipment currently offered by higher variants, and will retain the fuel efficient strong hybrid setup.