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S. Muralidhar

THE Innova is being offered with two engine options — a 2.5-litre common-rail diesel engine and a two-litre, VVT-i petrol engine. The newly developed D-4D, common rail direct injection diesel (named 2KD-FTV) engine is specially tuned for Indian conditions.

This 2,494cc engine generates 75kW (102PS) of peak power at 3,600 rpm and a massive 200Nm of peak torque all the way from 1,400 rpm to about 3,400 rpm. The VVT-i petrol (1TR-FE) engine, on the other hand, puts out a higher maximum power of 100kW (136PS) at 5,600 rpm, but generates lower torque of 182Nm at 4,000 rpm. Both of these are typical characteristics of petrol engines. Between the two, the diesel engine is clearly the more tractable. Aided by a turbocharger, this diesel offers loads of torque from as low as 1,400 rpm, which is just a step up from typical engine idling rpm levels. The petrol, on the other hand, is clearly outclassed in the torque department, though it offers much more power for easier high-speed performance.

Further, the variable valve timing and intelligent Innova engine, with the same technology that Toyota uses for its engines in luxury sedans such as the Camry and Corolla, has been chosen for its fuel efficiency, but the compromise is that it feels a shade underpowered for a vehicle in this class.

Both the engines are extremely refined. Noise, vibration and harshness dampening material, such as asphalt sheets, insulators and so on, have been used to muffle the effect of the diesel engine inside the cabin.

The effect of these features, along with the benefits that the common rail technology already brings to the engine, is a remarkably quiet performance compared to other engines and vehicles in this class. The rat-a-tat of the diesel engine is evident only when the vehicle is idling. On the move, the noise is barely discernible.

The petrol engine has also been given features such as a resonator and a new porous duct to reduce intake noise. Both the Innova engines come with a massive air cleaner that also contributes to lowering noise. A 32-bit electronic control unit is employed for monitoring the temperature, engine rpm and other parameters for optimised ignition timing and fuel delivery.

Our choice will definitely be the D-4D diesel burner for its superb `torquey' performance and smooth power delivery all the way up. The Innova's two-litre petrol engine feels underpowered and sluggish at low revs, but manages to catch up and offers more power in the higher ranges. Fuel efficiency of both the fuel versions will be class leading amongst vehicles in the segment.

The engines are mated to a slick shifting five-speed gearbox. Vibration transfer to the shift stick though not entirely absent in the diesel, is still much lower than the competition's. It is partly explainable given the tall stick shift and long throw into gear.

Braking is through discs in the front and drum brakes at the rear. `V' variants get anti-lock braking and also feature a load sensing proportion valve, which controls the braking power at the rear according to the gross weight of the vehicle to ensure effective braking under various luggage and passenger load conditions.

An engine immobiliser is also part of standard fitment on all variants and it provides a check against any abuse when you insert the key into the cylinder. The immobiliser compares the ID code of each ignition key and the ID code registered into the vehicle before allowing ignition.

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