Toyota is all set to launch its new compact SUV, the Urban Cruiser. This is essentially the rebadged version of the best selling Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza with Toyota specific cosmetic changes.

Exterior:

    The Urban Cruiser borrows its front grille from the Fortuner but carries forward the LED headlamps from the Vitara Brezza without any changes. The front bumper however is completely redesigned to give the Urban Cruiser a unique look. The sides and rear, however, don't have any changes except for the Toyota and Urban Cruiser branding on the tailgate. The 16” alloy wheels to are the same as on the

Vitara Brezza.

Interior:

    The interior of the Urban Cruiser gets even fewer changes when compared to the Brezza. The design, layout and materials are exactly the same and the only differentiation will be Brown colour seat upholstery.

Variants:

Similar to the Vitara Brezza, the Urban Cruiser will be available in three variants; Mid, High and Premium.

    Based on the Vitara Brezza, the new Urban Cruiser MID variant offers the following standard features:

• LED headlamps with DRLs

• LED tail lamps

• Auto climate control

• Tilt-adjustable steering wheel

• Push-button start with the smart key

• 2DIN audio system

• Steering mounted audio controls

• Power windows

• Electric ORVMs

• Reverse sensors

Apart from these, the HIGH variant will include the following additional features:

• 16” alloy wheels

• Auto folding ORVMs

• Roof rails

• 7” touchscreen system

• Android Auto & Apple car play

• Reverse camera

• Cruise control

• Rear wiper & defogger

Additional features on the top-spec PREMIUM variant will include:

• LED fog lamps

• 16” diamond cut alloys

• Auto headlamps & wipers

• Auto-dimming IRVM

• Front and rear armrests

Safety:

       Safety features on the Toyota Urban Cruiser BS6 include:

• ABS with EBD

• Dual airbags

• ISOFIX child seat mounts

• Pretensioner seatbelts

• Engine immobilizer

• Hill hold on AT variants

Powertrains:

       The Urban Cruiser will carry forward the same 1.5L K-series petrol engine from the Vitara Brezza producing 105bhp power & 138nm torque through either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed Torque converter automatic gearbox. The Automatic variants will also receive mild hybrid system with auto engine start/stop and regenerative braking.

Launch & price:

        The new Toyota Urban Cruiser will be priced at a slight premium over the Vitara Brezza with expected pricing from ?8.5L to ?11.5L ex-showroom. When launched the Toyota Urban Cruiser will compete against the Tata Nexon, Ford Ecosport, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV300 and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza itself. Bookings for the Urban Cruiser is currently open. Stay tuned for further details and pricing.

Tata Motors will be launching their flagship Gravitas 7-seat SUV later this year. The Gravitas is essentially the 7 seats extended version of the Harrier 5 seat SUV based on the Land Rover derived OMEGA arc platform.

Based on the Harrier, the Gravitas will be around 60mm longer than the Harrier to accommodate the extra 2 seats while also being taller to provide better headroom for the 3rd row. Except for the larger dimensions and extra seats, the Gravitas will be largely similar to the 5-seat Harrier.

The tailgate will be more upright, giving the Gravitas a more boxy appearance and the

SUV will also feature long functional roof rails for lifestyle utility. The top-spec variants will receive 18” dual-tone alloy wheels with the design similar to the Harrier's whereas the lower-spec variants will carry forward the exact same 17” alloy wheels seen on the Harrier’s lower variants. Though it is not sure whether the Gravitas will be provided with an electric sunroof.

Other than these external differences, the Gravitas will carry forward the same features as on the Harrier:

• Xenon Projector headlamps with LED DRLs

• Auto folding ORVMs

• Rear wiper and defogger

• 18” Alloy wheels

• Automatic climate control

• Auto headlamps & wipers

• Cruise control

• 8.8” Touchscreen system

• Android Auto & Apple car play

• Harman audio system with 9 speakers

• Connect Next app suite

• Reverse camera

• 6-way Power-adjustable driver seat with lumbar support

• Off White Leather upholstery

• Auto-dimming IRVM

• Ambient mood lighting

• Rear centre armrest

• Smart key with push-button start

• Follow me headlamps

• Terrain response modes: Rough, Wet and City

Safety:

       Safety features on the Gravitas will include:

• ABS with EBD

• All-wheel disc brakes

• Corner stability control

• 6 airbags

• Electronic Parking brake

• Electronic stability program

• Traction control

• Hill hold control

• Hill descent control

• Rollover mitigation

• Electronic brake prefill

• Hydraulic brake assist

• Brake disc wiping

• Perimetric alarm system

• Pretensioner seatbelts

Powertrains:

The Gravitas, just like the Harrier will be available with a diesel engine mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The 2L Kryotec turbo diesel produces 170PS Power and 350NM torque. From the XM variant onwards, the Gravitas will be available with three drive modes; Eco, City and Sport.

Launch & price:

The new Gravitas is expected to be priced from ?15L to ?20L for the Manual variants and ?17.5L to ?21L for the Automatic variants. When launched later this year, Tata’s new flagship SUV will compete against the likes of the MG Hector plus and the next generation Mahindra XUV500. Stay tuned for further updates.

Morris Garages India has silently been developing a facelift version of their best selling Hector 5 seat Crossover SUV and now this facelift version has started to arrive at showrooms a few weeks ahead of its expected launch. Here's a quick summary on what to expect on the updated Hector.

The 2021 MG Hector gets cosmetic and feature upgrades to the exterior and interior.

Exterior updates:

• New front grille with Chrome studs (similar to Mercedes Benz cars)

• Glossy black strip connecting the tail lamps, replacing the red reflector.

• 18” dual tone alloy
  

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Apart from these updates, the 2021 Hector will look largely the same as the current model and will carry forward the same features including LED headlamps, DRLs and tail lamps, Roof rails, Panoramic sunroof and surround body cladding.

Interior and feature updates:

• Dual tone, beige and black interior theme

• Ventilated front seats

• Wireless charging

• Proximity auto door locks

While the design layout and quality will remain exactly the same, the 2021 Hector will get a dual tone colour theme while also offering some new features to have an edge over the Seltos and Creta. It will also receive Proximity sensing auto door locks which can automatically lock or unlock the car by sensing the distance of the key fob, without the need to press the request button on the door handles.

Other features including the large portrait-style touchscreen system, 100+ voice commands, ambient mood lighting, digital instrument cluster, powered seats, leather upholstery are expected to remain the same on the top spec variants.

The Hector will continue to offer class leading 625L of boot space, while also offering smart powered tailgate.

Powertrain:

The current range of engine will be carried forward to the facelift Hector as well:

• 1.5L turbo petrol non hybrid producing 145PS through 6 speed manual or DCT

• 1.5L turbo petrol with 48V mild hybrid producing 145PS through 6 speed manual

• 2.0L Fiat-sourced turbo diesel producing 170PS through a 6 speed manual.

Launch and price:

The new MG Hector facelift is expected to be launched officially before mid-January and the top spec Sharp Variant is expected to be priced around ?30,000 higher than the current Sharp trim level.

       Just as before, the new Hector will compete against the Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass. Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.

Stay tuned for further updates.