The highly competitive car market of the world demands the auto majors to be prepared with all the possible car models to cater to the growing and diversified requirements of the global car consumers. As all the rival car majors of Toyota seem to be coming out with new compact Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), the auto leader is reported to be walking the same line.

It is being speculated that Toyota Motor could be considering developing a new compact SUV which is based on the platform of the Etios sedan. The world’s most favored car maker is very popular for offering several utility vehicle wonders such as the Land Cruiser and the much appreciated Hilux pickup truck. However, when it comes to the mini SUV models, the Japanese does not have anything more compact than the Rush, which is a compact SUV about the size of the popular Renault Duster. A more compact vehicle could really boost the sales of Toyota when the baby SUV segment is concerned and thus the rumored Etios based SUV model.

If and when launched, the new Toyota Etios based compact SUV will boast of being the smallest SUV model from the house of the Japanese car giant. Toyota currently produces an altered variant of the Etios as the Etios Cross in the car market of Brazilian, which is quite similar to that of the Volkswagen Cross Polo. However, now the Japanese car major is said to be working on a full-fledged new baby SUV based on the Etios.

According to the reports, Toyota will be using all the basic parts and even body panels of the Etios to develop this new mini SUV. Moreover, the compact SUV will also have the same engine as well as the transmission gearbox options as that of the Etios sedan. Thus, the new baby SUV from Toyota will be powered by the same 1.5 liter petrol mill that churns out the power output of 88bhp and the peak torque of 132Nm, and a 1.4 liter powertrain that has the capability to deliver the max power output of 67bhp and a peak torque of 170Nm. Both of these engines are coupled with the efficiency of a 5 speed manual transmission gearbox. With the reports suggesting all these similarities, it can be well said that the new compact SUV will also be endowed with very similar features and interiors with the Etios. However, the SUV will definitely get its own visual charm as an SUV and individual features as well.

When Toyota does come up with this new compact SUV, it will also access to the very popular and intensely potential compact SUV segment of the Indian car market, which is currently being ruled by the Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster. Nissan has already launched its Terrano and Honda, Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai are all in queue with their respective baby SUVs. Thus, Toyota will simply be joining the league with its compact SUV.

Tagged: Toyota Cars India, Toyota Etios Cross, Toyota India