[Aditya]

Japanese automaker Toyota, has announced that the 2014 Verso compact MPV, will be powered by a BMW sourced diesel engine in Europe. This makes the Verso the first Toyota car to use a BMW power plant since the company entered into an agreement with the German manufacturer for the supply of engines, two years ago.

Link to News Article

[Vid6639]

What an awesome combination. Reliable Japanese meets cutting edge German technology.

This engine is very interesting as it could very well be the ideal engine to plonk into the new Altis in 2014.

1.6L 111BHP are decent figures for Altis size car. Maybe seeing this Toyota India also look at compact SUV or MPV. Avanza with this engine anyone? Or even the Toyota Rush. The Vios would also work to plug the huge gap between Altis and Etios.

[mints21]

This mutually symbiotic relationship of German technology clubbed with Japanese reliability can create wonders if this is introduced in new Altis. However, what really needs to be seen is the pricing factor. Will they be able to compete with siblings in a price competitive market like India. Of course the bigger question is "if at all it is introduced in Indian cars manufactured or launched by Toyota"?

[Contrapunto]

Can the Verso morph into the "New Innova"? Or even another MPV along with Innova. Heaven knows there is space for another MPV BOTH below the Innova (Verso) and between the Innova and the Fortuner (RAV4). Aaaah if only wishes were horses. Toyota is driven by "lost potential/ sales is better than idle capacity" philosophy. I doubt TKIL top brass can endure this much bold planning even in their wild dreams.
-----------
Here is an exchange from a hypothetical carmaker.

Sales head: Chairman - san, I had dream...I dreamt we are launching not zero, not one, but two new models.

Chairman: Sales-head san, that is not a dream. That is a nightmare. Please dream better dreams tomorrow. Like a refreshed sedan with new aerodynamic front bumpers :-) and 3 new colours based on extensive customer research.

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[mroptimist]

This particular partnership is between Toyota Motor Europe (TME), TMC's European subsidiary, and BMW solely because Toyota could not develop environment friendly diesel engines which would meet the stringent European emission standards (read EURO VI).

Toyota cannot plonk these engines in any other part of the globe.

In exchange Toyota would supply BMW it's next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies (Toyota is a pioneer in this field and years ahead of every car manufacturer including BMW).

To expect these engines would be like day dreaming mainly because our government is not going to implement Euro VI anytime soon and Toyota's step motherly attitude towards Indian market.

We can read about this from here.

http://www.toyota-global.com/tokyoms...ess1201_2.html

MW Group (BMW) and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announce that they today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) concerning a mid-to-long-term collaboration on next-generation environment-friendly technologies.

Under the MOU, the two companies agreed on a collaborative research in the field of next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies. Furthermore, they have agreed to identify and discuss other possible collaborative projects.
In addition, Toyota Motor Europe (TME), TMC's European subsidiary, and BMW have entered into a contract under which BMW is to supply 1.6 liter and 2.0 liter diesel engines to TME starting in 2014. The engines will be installed in certain Toyota-produced vehicles planned for sale in the European market. Through this agreement, Toyota plans to expand its European lineup and sales of fuel-efficient, low CO2-emission diesel-powered vehicles.

Marking the announcement, Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said: "Toyota is the leading provider of environment-friendly series technology in the volume segment and the BMW Group is the most innovative and sustainable manufacturer of premium automobiles. We are now joining forces to further develop environment-friendly technologies and to expand our innovation leadership in each of our segments. Supplying Toyota with our fuel efficient and dynamic diesel engines represents another important step in the planned expansion of our sales activities for engines and powertrain system."

Representing TMC, President Akio Toyoda said: "It is a great joy and a thrill to enter into this mid-to-long-term collaborative relationship with BMW, a company with its own culture and history from its many years of car manufacturing in Europe, and a company that makes cars that are fun to drive. In the spirit of contributing to furthering the development of the auto industry and society, both companies will bring their wide-ranging knowledge—starting with that concerning environmental technologies—to the table and make ever-better cars."

[s.prashanth]

Toyota will not use a BMW engine in India,as it will hurt the image and above all costs and efficiency. The current efficiency figures for the altos is the benchmark in its segment.

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by s.prashanth

Toyota will not use a BMW engine in India,as it will hurt the image and above all costs and efficiency. The current efficiency figures for the altos is the benchmark in its segment.

Huh? This is not a plausible reason at all. What mroptimist has posted is what it looks like will be the case.

How will using a BMW engine hurt Toyota or BMW's image? And BMW's diesel engines are as efficient as other diesel engines.

Alto is petrol 3lakh car. Why should a Toyota MPV or ALtis sedan compete with an Alto in FE?

Do people not buy cars in India that give lower FE than an Alto?

[2cents]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

Alto is petrol 3lakh car. Why should a Toyota MPV or ALtis sedan compete with an Alto in FE?

Do people not buy cars in India that give lower FE than an Alto?

I think he intended to type Altis!!

[volkman10]

From 15th March there's the Japanese with BMW engine

The compact MPV Verso for the first time with a BMW engine will be available at the Toyota dealers.

Going forward,BMW and Toyota intend to cooperate in the development of sports cars, new lightweight technology and battery technology. In addition they will develop a common fuel cell drive.

Cheers!