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-   -   Toyota Corolla Altis Automatic now available in 2 variants (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/115842-toyota-corolla-altis-automatic-now-available-2-variants.html)

The Altis AT was earlier available only in the fully loaded VL trim level. This had all the bells and whistles like xenons, leather seats, 8 way electric seats, start/stop button, smart keyless entry and more.

The Altis has a 1.8L engine with dual-VVTi (variably valve timing on both intake and exhaust) and an output of 140 BHP. The transmission is a new 7 speed Super CVT-i box. Basically it's CVT box that is designed to work like a regular torque converter AT.

Toyota is now offering the AT in the lower G trim as well, called the G(HV). Compared to the fully loaded VL trim, following features are different:
- No Electric seats
- No leather upholstery
- No Xenons with headlamp washers
- No retractable rear sun shade
- No start/stop button
- Keyless entry without smart entry
- Full leather wrapped steering (no half wood)

You still get that new touchscreen audio system with bluetooth in the G variant.

There is no brochure available yet for this new variant so some features may still be left out above. Will confirm once I get more details.

The best part is that the G(HV) trim is 1.25lakhs lesser than the VL trim and lesser than the manual top end GL trim.

Following are the prices Ex-Delhi:
1.8G - Rs.12,56,813
1.8G(HV)- Rs.13,76,000 (AT)
1.8GL - Rs.13,92,729
1.8VL - Rs.14,98,143 (AT)

This is now the cheapest AT in D segment undercutting the Fluence, Laura and Cruze.

Does the Altis come with Xenon headlights? I know it features the HID unit... Yes, Camry comes with Xenon headlights not Altis

The top end VL and GL have Xenon's a.k.a HID headlamps. HID is the same as Xenons. HID is the technology whereas the Xenon is the gas used.

The Camry has HID xenons with projector setup whereas the Altis has a normal reflector with xenons.

Looks like nobody has told Toyota (& other manufacturers) yet that they could significantly increase AT sales if it is offered with a diesel engine.

Good move by Toyota but I agree with the above comment - why no AT in the diesel variant? The diesel not only needs an AT but also a mighty price cut for the engine on offer. I also wonder how that puny 1.4L D4D engine would perform with an AT.

At least Toyota has multiple AT options as far as trim levels are concerned. Others only have one trim. Why no Diesel AT, well surely there is market for one, lets who who makes the first move.

Comparing to other manufacturers i see Toyota slightly more serious about the Indian automobile market.

Guys the Altis sells around 600 - 700 cars monthly in India. The diesel 1.4 is used is unique only for India and Spain.

Why would Toyota go out and develop a brand new transmission just for India and Spain for such low numbers? If they had a transmission already then it's not a problem but to develop one is not economically feasible.

The petrol is what brings in the numbers.

The move has already been made by Skoda, VW and Chevrolet. All offer automatics in diesel. Hyundai has been offering on the Verna CRDi as well.

I'm sure the Altis AT diesel will have buyers. But Toyota needs to correct the pricing of the car first. It is atleast 3-4L overpriced with that 1.4L engine. To be honest, the diesel Altis does not deserve to be compared to the Skoda (Laura), VW (Jetta) and Chevy (Cruze). It is in all fairness a segment lower.

Developing an AT for the 1.4D will also give Toyota an option to offer it in the Etios/Liva diesel in the future. Wishful thinking I know.

Yes but what I'm trying to say is the numbers will still be nowhere near as to justify development costs for a new transmission.

Moreover the 1.4 D-4D has been added just for the sake of having a diesel. If my driver is driving I don't really care if I have 150bhp or 50bhp. When Skoda was selling the Octavia in India it had a 1.9L 90bhp engine in a very heavy shell. The L&K at that time was above 15lakhs. Noone complained of that being underpowered. They were getting fantastic FE in a premium car which was what the market wanted.

We are going OT. The topic is the introduction of new petrol AT variant and not "why doesnt toyota have a diesel AT".:)

Great move by Toyota in introducing 2 Trims in AT. The lower spec/price would definetly attract more folks.

:OT I think the discussion of " Why not diesel" is becoming a norm in India and it may change eventually with the additional cess and deregulation of prices of diesel

Great move by Toyota and one that makes the Civic AT look even more over-priced. I think Automatics ought to do better than they are in India, and lower priced variants will only widen the appeal.

Looking at the loss of features, no one will miss anything other than the leather seats (which can easily be sourced from the after-market anyway).

Too bad the Altis doesn't get a bigger diesel engine + AT; it would absolutely murder the German competition (the Laura & Jetta).

Not really. The addition of a diesel variant hasn't done anything to the Altis' sales, unlike in most other cars where it doubles volume. Clearly, the market hasn't taken too kindly to the puny engine. Also, the first question a lot of urban customers ask is "How much cc (as in cubic capacity)?"

It's a good sign that carmakers are waking up to the fact that someone may want the comfort and convenience of an AT without the bells and whistles that most of us view as wasteful. Skoda set the tone with the Rapid Ambition and now this. I would have seriously considered the 7-speed AT during my own purchase if it had been available in lower trim then.

Good move, Toyota!

Have a look at Skoda, they have a DSG variant available in all the trims in Diesel. That makes 5 variants for Laura Diesel and 3 variants for TSI(all Manual). If the local dealer is to be believed, DSG variants are more popular than the manual ones.



EDIT: Correction- Diesel has 5 variants not 6, L&K does not come with MT.

A positive move from Toyota! I am sure there are buyers who want to have the AT comfort, but taken aback by the high price of the top variant. And IMHO, the only significant miss (compared to the top variant) is the HID and leather seats. And I feel the full leather wrapped steering is actually a plus compared to the half-wood stuff.

And regarding diesel AT, I don’t think anything much will change (on sales) if Toyota is continuing with the existing diesel motor. Instead, I think the 1.6 petrol at a lower price point can really boost the sale. More because currently Toyota does not have a player in the City/Vento segment.

Does this imply that a Fiat Punto 90bhp, Ford Endeavour 3.0L, Hyundai Verna 1.6 or its own i20 1.4petrol command more enquiries or sales than its underpowered variants.