Toyota Innova Hycross flex fuel, Mirai, Hyryder CNG showcased at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024

Toyota has showcased five models at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 in New Delhi. The brand’s focus at this event is on alternative fuel vehicles. Toyota India currently sells petrol, petrol-hybrid, CNG and diesel-powered models.

1. Toyota Innova Hycross flex fuel on display
2. Hydrogen-powered Mirai, Hyryder CNG on showcase too
3. Toyota’s first EV for India coming next year

Toyota at Bharat Mobility Show 2024

Starting the proceedings for Toyota at the event, is the Toyota Mirai – the Japanese brand’s Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle which runs on hydrogen. The sedan is on sale in select global markets and has been Toyota’s technology demonstrator in India.

The made-in-India Innova Hycross is on display too but the one at the event gets flex-fuel powertrain. It comes with the same 2.0-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine coupled with an electric motor, similar to the standard Innova Hycross hybrid. It is capable of performing to the same degree as the standard model, even with ethanol-blended petrol, which according to Toyota, can offer extremely low hydrocarbon emissions.

Toyota further says that this prototype is BS6 Phase II-compliant, and can run on petrol with ethanol blending of 20 percent or higher; the former is currently the norm in India.

Being a strong hybrid, the Innova Hycross flex-fuel prototype operates 60 percent of the time on EV mode (utilising just the battery pack), while 40 percent of the energy consumed comes from the ethanol-powered engine, thereby claiming the lowest well-to-wheel emissions. The 2.0-litre, strong-hybrid engine gets different spark plugs, piston ring tops, as well as valve and valve seats, to make them water-resistant and prevent corrosion when running on ethanol.

Toyota has also included a three-way catalyst in the exhaust system to further reduce the hydrocarbon emissions. Multiple changes with respect to optimal functioning with ethanol have also been done to the vehicle's fuel filter, fuel pump, as well as fuel lines, which now have an ethanol sensor installed.

Toyota also has a cross section display of the Innova Hycross hybrid that showcases common electric powertrain parts among its models. Additionally, the Hyryder CNG is also on display at the show, along with a specially-designed Hilux emergency response truck.