As more and more new customers have been looking forward to customization packs, leading automakers in the country have been offering affordable customisation packs. This time around, the Innova Touring Sport from Toyota has been the latest one to get a host of feature upgrades. This comes a few months after Tata introduced the Luxe and Adventure pack in the Hexa SUV. The kits and fresh cosmetic upgrades are offered at an additional cost over the regular top-spec variant.
Starting with the feature list in newly introduced Innova Touring Sport, the trim gets additional features like all-black front grille with smoked chrome finish and smoked chrome headlamp ornament and fog lamp bezel. Moreover, the vehicle also gets black spoiler with chrome inserts on front as well as rear bumpers and black rear door garnish, while the sides get black wheel arch cladding. As for the interior, the Touring Sport gets a large TFT multi information display and gets a steering wheel with black-wood and sporty red stitch. The vehicle also gets a unique red wood pattern on the instrument panel along with black wood finish on the rear door inner panel, seat back table and console box. For that sporty appeal, the Touring Sport gets a sporty red stitch on the seat. The new trim costs an additional Rs 75,000 over the regular top-spec version.
The Tata Hexa is offered with two customization packs – Luxe and Adventure pack. The Luxe pack offers a landscaped sunroof, illuminated front logo, side step and body side beading. Additionally, it also gets chrome elements on the ORVMs, bonnet, boot, head and tail lamps and door handles. As for the Adventure pack, it loads the SUV with portable cycle carrier and rear wheel side step. The kit includes multi-function roof rack that holds the luggage bag, water-proof canopy, high lift jack, 20-litre jerry can, full rail platform kit and shovel holder bracket. Moreover, customers opting for the Adventure pack can also opt for customised floor options, seat covers and range of stylish alloy wheel options to choose from. Depending on the pack and features choosen, the cost for the vehicle with the kit ranges between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1.0 lakh over its ex-showroom cost.
Mechanically, the Innova Touring Sport is available with two diesel engine options - a 2.8-litre diesel mated to six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift, and 2.4-litre engine mated to five-speed manual transmission. The Sports version of the MPV is also available with a 2.7-litre petrol engine mated to six-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. Speaking of safety, depending on the variant, it gets seven airbags, vehicle stability control and hill-start assist. While the standard list of safety equipment include, ABS with EBD, 3 point seatbelt for all occupants and child restraint system, and height adjustable seatbelt with pre-tensioner and force limiter.
The Hexa is powered by a 2.2-litre engine in two power tunes – Varicor 320 and Varicor 400. The smaller engine version is offered only in base variant and is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox to generate 148bhp of power and 320Nm of torque. The bigger Varicor 400 that generates 154bhp of power and 400Nm of torque is available in manual as well as automatic options. Two airbags on the front have been offered as standard, while the top spec versions get sic airbags. Additionally, the SUV is also offered with a variety of driving aids such as ABS with EBD and ESP.
Of the two, the new Innova is a better performing vehicle, but then lacks the off-road handling capability seen with the Hexa. Moreover, the SUV is also available with a 4x4 option which is not offered with the Innova Touring Sport. Over the years, Innova as a brand has managed to win hearts with trust, reliability and easy maintenance. Though it is not exactly a budget friendly vehicle and will neither be so in future, the long standing trust is what will push the sales for the Sports variant.
