Is Toyota Planning To Launch The Aqua Hybrid In India?

Toyota Kirloskar Motor might be planning to launch a new hybrid vehicle in India, and no, it’s not the Prius. The brand could launch the Aqua hatchback with a hybrid powertrain, if the recent sightings of its test mules are to be believed. 

But should Toyota bring the Aqua Hybrid to India? It would have made a lot of sense for Toyota to bring the hybrid hatchback to India as hybrids get new incentives with the revised GST slabs. The new tax structure means wonders for hybrids under 4 metres in length and with petrol engines smaller than 1200 cc, as the tax slab has been reduced from 28 per cent to 18 per cent. 

However, the Aqua Hybrid measures just over 4 metres (4080 mm) and it has a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Toyota would have to extensively rework the Aqua to get the benefits of the new GST slabs. If it doesn’t, it would be subject to 40 per cent GST.

The Aqua spotted in India seems to be the pre-facelift model, and that would mean that Toyota is currently testing the platform for a small hybrid hatchback, and the Aqua may not come to India. Furthermore, this isn’t the first time the Aqua has been spotted testing in India, so it could imply that Toyota is very keen on bringing new hybrid models to India. Currently, it has the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Innova Hycross, Camry, and Vellfire in its portfolio that have a strong-hybrid powertrain, making Toyota the only manufacturer with the largest strong hybrid portfolio. 

It’s interesting to note that the Hyryder uses a variation of the petrol engine used in the Aqua. The hatchback gets an M15A engine, while the Hyryder (and the Grand Vitara, Victoria by extension) come with the M15D engine. The Aqua’s 1.5-litre petrol engine, along with the electric motors, churns out 90 bhp and 120 Nm (combined).