Kijang Innova offers more power, gadgets
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
In an attempt to expand its already large share of the multipurpose van (MPV) segment, Japanese carmaker PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM) launched last Tuesday the latest variant of its popular Toyota Kijang Innova, the Toyota Kijang Innova 2.7V, offering more power and convenience to customers.
The new variant is powered by an inline, four-cylinder, 2,700 cc engine with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) technology, producing 160 horsepower (hp) at 5,200 revolutions per minute (rpm) of top power and 339 Newton meter (Nm) at 3,800 rpm of maximum torque.
It comes with a catalytic converter for cleaner exhaust emission. The use of unleaded fuel is highly recommended for optimum engine performance and fuel efficiency, and to be environmentally friendly.
When it was launched on Sept. 1 last year, the Kijang Innova came with two engine options: 2,000 cc gasoline engine with VVT-i technology and the 2,500 cc diesel engine with direct 4-stroke diesel turbo common-rail (D-4D) technology, offered with automatic or manual transmission.
The Kijang Innova 2.7V is only offered with automatic transmission with electronic control transmission (ECT) technology, using gate-type shift for easy operation and smooth speed transfer.
"The Kijang Innova 2.7V is launched to fulfill the hopes and expectations of upper-class customers who want an exclusive and luxurious variant of a premium MPV," PT TAM president director Johnny Darmawan said.
The sense of luxury is achieved through leather seats and an audio system featuring a six CD changer and MP3 player. It also comes with multi-information display (MID) and audio control placed on a four-spoke steering wheel.
For safety, the Kijang Innova 2.7V comes with dual supplemental restraining system (SRS) air bags and additional seat belts for passengers in the third-row seat.
Offered at Rp 270 million (US$29,700), the Kijang Innova 2.7V also comes with anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Customers who buy the new Kijang Innova 2.7V will enjoy a guarantee of three years or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.
The Kijang Innova 2.7V has a larger engine capacity than most of its competitors.
The Honda Stream comes in 1,700 cc and 2,000 cc options, while the Honda Odyssey is powered by a 2,400 cc engine. The Odyssey, however, is in the upper segment and does not compete head-to- head against the Kijang Innova.
The Hyundai Trajet also comes with a V6 2,700 cc gasoline engine, in addition to variants with 2,000 cc diesel and gasoline engines.
Another Korean MPV, the KIA Carnival, is powered by a V6 2,500 cc engine, although its 2,900 cc diesel engine is larger than the Kijang Innova's diesel version.