Bharat Mobility Expo: Toyota has showcased the prototype of the made-in-India Innova Hycross flex-fuel hybrid MPV at the inaugural Bharat Mobility Expo 2024. Based on the standard Innova Hycross, the flex-fuel version draws power from the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, petrol engine mated to an electric motor. According to the automaker, the Innova Hycross flex-fuel hybrid is BS6 Phase II-compliant, and can run on petrol with an ethanol blend that surpasses India's current 20 per cent limit. Despite that, the flex-fuel version of the Innova Hycross has the same performance figures (143bhp/188Nm, with petrol engine only) as the regular model; however, using ethanol-blended petrol is said to result in extremely low hydrocarbon emissions.
Toyota Innova Hycross Flex-Fuel: Powertrain Tweaks
Further reducing these emissions is a three-way catalyst that has been incorporated into the MPV's exhaust system. Toyota has also made changes to the vehicle's fuel filter, fuel pump, and fuel lines with an ethanol sensor, while the 2.0-litre, hybrid engine of the flex-fuel MPV includes ethanol-specific spark plugs, piston ring tops, valves, and valve seats for improved corrosion resistance. On top of that, a cold-start system has been added to the engine, thereby assisting you to start your car in temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius.
The Innova Hycross prototype is a strong hybrid MPV, which gets a dedicated electric mode that draws power from a cargo floor-mounted battery pack. The vehicle operates in EV mode 60 per cent of the time, while 40 per cent of the power comes from an ethanol-blended petrol engine. Unveiled by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari last year, the Innova Hycross prototype is the second flex-fuel vehicle showcased by Toyota. In 2022, the automaker had put on display the Corolla flex-fuel hybrid that was brought in from Brazil and came equipped with a 1.8-litre petrol unit mated to an electric motor.
Toyota Innova Hycross Flex-Fuel: Design, Availability
Design-wise, the Innova Hycross flex-fuel hybrid MPV looks almost identical to the standard version; but, as the name suggests, the model features 'Flex-Fuel' stickers on the bonnet and sides, while the fuel lid bears a ‘powered by Ethanol’ sticker. As of now, there is no word as to when the electrified Innova Hycross flex-fuel will go into production.
Apart from the Innova Hycross flex-fuel prototype, the Bharat Mobility Expo also saw Toyota exhibit the Mirai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (that runs on hydrogen), the Hilux Emergency response truck, the Hyryder CNG, and more.
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