The compact SUV rush (no pun intended) is far from over as yet another manufacturer has decided to develop a compact crossover. Japanese automobile giant, Toyota is contemplating bringing in a compact SUV to position it in the Rs. 8-12 lakh bracket. This SUV will rival the Renault Duster and Ford EcoSport and is expected to hit Indian roads by 2014. Toyota is still in the initial stages of deciding other aspects of the crossover, including model, variants, engines and pricing. Currently half of Toyota sales come from the Innova.
Toyota already has a compact SUV in other Asian markets. Known as the Toyota Rush, the compact SUV does have something in common with the Premier Rio. The Rio is the first generation Daihatsu Terios, while the Rush is the second generation Terios. The vehicle is sold in Japan, Chile, Turkey, Malaysia and China. The current generation model was launched in 2006 and the third generation model is expected sometime next year. Toyota will most likely launch the next generation model in India if they plan to bring in a compact SUV.
The Toyota Rush is sold in short and long wheel base versions which offer 5 and 7-seats respectively. This compact SUV is a rear-wheel drive and is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Toyota will use the 1.4-litre D4-D diesel engine from the Corolla Altis in the Indian Rush. The 1.5-litre VVT-i engine produces 109 PS of peak power at 6000 RPM and 141 Nm of peak torque at 4400 RPM. This is the same engine which does duty in the Vios in South East Asiq. This engine will not be offered in India and the 1.4-litre petrol engine from the Etios sedan will make its way into the Rush.
The Toyota Rush runs on 215/65/R16 tyres and weighs 1220 kgs. It has ABS, EBD and Airbags as standard on the top end variant. There are three variants available in Malaysia – 1.5G (MT), 1.5G (AT) and 1.5S (AT). The Rush is offered with 4-wheel drive but that is not likely to make it to India.
