Diesel Toyota Altis confirmed! ARAI FE of 21.43 kpl. Update: Now Launched!

navan49 · 24th July 2010, 23:46

It is great to hear that Altis is coming in Diesel variant. That too the High Fe of above 21km per ltr. Price is o.k for a middle class person to upgrade.

sbraj · 25th July 2010, 07:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by karanraheja

I would like to see the comments if Ford bring the Focus sedan with 1.4 TDCI shared with Figo and Fiesta.

I am sure all manufacturers are keenly watching market response for Altis 1.4 D4D.

If this car is successful in non-taxi market, we may see a wave of fuel efficient cars being launched in this segment. But if it is only the taxi segment which majorly picks up Altis 1.4, then that may not happen (atleast from Ford and others who do not have the stellar A.S.S. reputation of Toyota).

Make no mistake, no manufacturer in India enjoys the status of Toyota. Indian automobile market seems to be eating out of the palm of this manufacturer.

malq · 25th July 2010, 10:33

Having test driven this car from a dealer, not one of those highly tuned and filled with reference fuel versions you get for media drives, and spoken with people on the dealer floor, this is my take:- ignore the 1364cc engine detail for a moment and drive this Altis diesel with an open mind, working the gears the way you would do in any other diesel car (think: Swift diesel). There is no issue with "performance" for city traffic, matter of fact on the uphill part of flyovers it has something that can not be easily defined, but feels like great surge of power in 3rd gear at speed as low as 25kmph.

On fuel economy, I think the Skoda diesel also promised amazing fuel economy when it came out - but then, the rear seat comfort in the Altis is way better. So 20km per litre fuel economy in semi-city would be welcome.

But most of all, the car is totally silent inside, in city traffic. Obviously some new generation NVH stuff is at work.

Dealer feedback is that there is a category of people who are using cars as tools for trade as well as family. Maybe they had an Innova type vehicle and now want to use a car, for whatever reason - status, no hassles on highways from authorities, boot that can be locked and is not visible to all, etcetc. For them, this is the ideal vehicle.

A pity that Toyota plans to make just about 800 per month. I think this car will be more succesful than the Maruti DZire diesel.

xingamazon · 25th July 2010, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by malq

I think this car will be more succesful than the Maruti DZire diesel.

I am guessing you mentioned this statement in relative terms, not all can afford a 12 lakhs car, even if it means a lot of VFM in it.

The car is a sure-shot VFM package, I would say its a first of its kind, VFM in the premium segment.I would say its an oxymoron in making, a premium VFM car.

anu21v · 26th July 2010, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgsagar

Yes, but then GM fans do not tom tom "peace of mind" song.

+1, very aptly put. whenever we talk about Toyota, there remains an underlying emphasis on "Peace of Mind" due to dependability. In my opinion, it was true for sometime in 70s and 80s in probably US and Japanese market, but it is not true anymore.

Even Toyota guys know it better how Hyundai's and Kias have been Giving tough Fight to Toyota on quality and reliability parameters.

Look at this year's JD power reliability and dependability rankings (India and worldwide) and you will see there is not so much difference between a japs car or a German car or an American car and even a Korean made car; that people should shy away from stylish option towards boring ones. This indeed is an overplayed card in current times.

Toyota has been in so much of Mess of late that it has been losing to even Ford in Quarter profits.(April to June period where there were no major recalls). Read This.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11245269
http://www.rttnews.com/Content/TopSt...=B1&Id=1368725

ac 427 · 26th July 2010, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

That is fantastic news! The Altis is already at the top of the C+ segment in terms of sales; with a fuel-efficient diesel, they'll repeat a "Fortuner" success story

If I were Skoda, I'd be very worried.

or a vw, or a chevrolet i would be very worried.

cheers,
ac

fuhrer · 26th July 2010, 13:23

based on the reviews it looks like its a typical toyota engine. that is, its very similar to the innova in the way it performs. As Sid quoted in his test drive thought it can rev till 4500rpm there is no power gain after 3800rpm. and the way it climbs steeps and develops torques while climbing. i had a back to back trip to kodaikkanal(a small hill station) in 1.6s and innova. 1.6s was no lack of power,its amazing handling was a lot of fun, however innova showed a different fun while climbing steeps it keeps gaining torque where most cars will ask for a down shift.

I'm a bit confused on the reviews people say i has a good low end and mid range power which is something i really wish in a car cause i drive about 40kms in city traffic every day, they also say it has huge turbo lag. Does this mean there will be constant gear shifting in traffic? in that case a 6speed manual will be a bit of a trouble.

Looks like i'm also wrong about the way it looks, now i feel the other grille would look better.

wanderlust · 26th July 2010, 15:26

Just caught the half page ad of the Altis Diesel on the last page of Times of India, Bangalore edition. All it talks about is low NVH, 6-speed gearbox and fuel efficiency. What I mean to say is that the ad just does not mention anything about the engine, its power or capacity.

Non-tbhpians will be in for a shock when they visit the showroom to take a look at the car!

rpmx1000 · 26th July 2010, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderlust

Just caught the half page ad of the Altis Diesel on the last page of Times of India, Bangalore edition. All it talks about is low NVH, 6-speed gearbox and fuel efficiency. What I mean to say is that the ad just does not mention anything about the engine, its power or capacity.

Non-tbhpians will be in for a shock when they visit the showroom to take a look at the car!

Very expected. Why would Toyota even want to highlight that ?
Most customers would not know or care, some would not even want to know...

sbraj · 26th July 2010, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderlust

What I mean to say is that the ad just does not mention anything about the engine, its power or capacity.

Not only the ad, the car itself is missing this information. It is common practice to put the engine capacity as badging on the car. Like 1.8J/1.8G/1.8V on petrol Altis. That is missing from Altis Diesel.

.anshuman · 26th July 2010, 16:01

When Skoda Laura CRDi MT has a FE figure of 20kpl with much bigger and powerful engine, The Toyota's figure of 21.43 kpl with a 1.4 litre engine that makes just 85hp mated to a 6speed MT is not very surprising to me.

The Altis cannot even dream to match the Jetta or Laura MT's driveablity, they pull like locomotives from as low as 1500rpm.

Latheesh · 26th July 2010, 16:03

No engine details in TOI ad. Soon we will be seeing lots of yellow plate Corollas.

GTO · 27th July 2010, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac 427

or a vw, or a chevrolet i would be very worried.

cheers,
ac

I might have to retract my statement. Reason? The Innova. It's also a Toyota, can seat more passengers, has a bigger engine, is decidedly more robust (body-on-frame) and is substantially cheaper than the Altis diesel. Without doubt, there will be some amount of cross-shopping between the Innova D & Altis D. Whether its private customers or commercial (especially).

hyper-VTEC · 27th July 2010, 12:04

When are we seeing the "GTO" styled test drive reports?

mxx · 27th July 2010, 18:08

Ofcourse there will be small difference sales figures of Cruze, Laura. But something that should worry the competition? I doubt that.
The customer profile of Cruze/Laura and corolla is completely different.

24th July 2010, 23:46	#421
navan49 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CHENNAI Posts: 1,000 Thanked: 73 Times View My Garage	It is great to hear that Altis is coming in Diesel variant. That too the High Fe of above 21km per ltr. Price is o.k for a middle class person to upgrade.
	() Thanks

25th July 2010, 10:33	#423
malq BANNED Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 173 Thanked: 164 Times	Having test driven this car from a dealer, not one of those highly tuned and filled with reference fuel versions you get for media drives, and spoken with people on the dealer floor, this is my take:- ignore the 1364cc engine detail for a moment and drive this Altis diesel with an open mind, working the gears the way you would do in any other diesel car (think: Swift diesel). There is no issue with "performance" for city traffic, matter of fact on the uphill part of flyovers it has something that can not be easily defined, but feels like great surge of power in 3rd gear at speed as low as 25kmph. On fuel economy, I think the Skoda diesel also promised amazing fuel economy when it came out - but then, the rear seat comfort in the Altis is way better. So 20km per litre fuel economy in semi-city would be welcome. But most of all, the car is totally silent inside, in city traffic. Obviously some new generation NVH stuff is at work. Dealer feedback is that there is a category of people who are using cars as tools for trade as well as family. Maybe they had an Innova type vehicle and now want to use a car, for whatever reason - status, no hassles on highways from authorities, boot that can be locked and is not visible to all, etcetc. For them, this is the ideal vehicle. A pity that Toyota plans to make just about 800 per month. I think this car will be more succesful than the Maruti DZire diesel.
	() Thanks

26th July 2010, 13:23	#427
fuhrer BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: chennai Posts: 98 Thanked: 6 Times	based on the reviews it looks like its a typical toyota engine. that is, its very similar to the innova in the way it performs. As Sid quoted in his test drive thought it can rev till 4500rpm there is no power gain after 3800rpm. and the way it climbs steeps and develops torques while climbing. i had a back to back trip to kodaikkanal(a small hill station) in 1.6s and innova. 1.6s was no lack of power,its amazing handling was a lot of fun, however innova showed a different fun while climbing steeps it keeps gaining torque where most cars will ask for a down shift. I'm a bit confused on the reviews people say i has a good low end and mid range power which is something i really wish in a car cause i drive about 40kms in city traffic every day, they also say it has huge turbo lag. Does this mean there will be constant gear shifting in traffic? in that case a 6speed manual will be a bit of a trouble. Looks like i'm also wrong about the way it looks, now i feel the other grille would look better.
	() Thanks

26th July 2010, 15:26	#428
wanderlust BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 147 Thanked: 171 Times	Just caught the half page ad of the Altis Diesel on the last page of Times of India, Bangalore edition. All it talks about is low NVH, 6-speed gearbox and fuel efficiency. What I mean to say is that the ad just does not mention anything about the engine, its power or capacity. Non-tbhpians will be in for a shock when they visit the showroom to take a look at the car! Last edited by wanderlust : 26th July 2010 at 15:32.
	() Thanks

26th July 2010, 16:01	#431
.anshuman Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Good-Gaon Posts: 7,763 Thanked: 11,064 Times View My Garage	When Skoda Laura CRDi MT has a FE figure of 20kpl with much bigger and powerful engine, The Toyota's figure of 21.43 kpl with a 1.4 litre engine that makes just 85hp mated to a 6speed MT is not very surprising to me. The Altis cannot even dream to match the Jetta or Laura MT's driveablity, they pull like locomotives from as low as 1500rpm.
	() Thanks

26th July 2010, 16:03	#432
Latheesh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CNN/BLR Posts: 4,243 Thanked: 10,090 Times	No engine details in TOI ad. Soon we will be seeing lots of yellow plate Corollas.
	() Thanks

27th July 2010, 12:04	#434
hyper-VTEC BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bengal...ooroo Posts: 648 Thanked: 243 Times View My Garage	When are we seeing the "GTO" styled test drive reports?
	() Thanks

27th July 2010, 18:08	#435
mxx BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 761 Thanked: 271 Times	Ofcourse there will be small difference sales figures of Cruze, Laura. But something that should worry the competition? I doubt that. The customer profile of Cruze/Laura and corolla is completely different.
	() Thanks