The latest generation Toyota Vellfire recently hit the front pages after it made a banging of a debut.
The latest update on our favourite Japanese minivan is that select Toyota dealers have already started taking unofficial bookings for the next generation Vellfire. Booking amounts range between 2 & 5 lakhs depending from dealership to dealership.
The almost finishing stock of the current generation Vellfire has made multiple customers upgrade to the newer generation with deliveries scheduled around September 2023. That is quick!
Based on Toyota’s new TNGA-K modular platform, the new Vellfire is lighter than its predecessor in weight but heavier in design.
The Vellfire has always been instantly recognisable on Indian streets here because there is absolutely no other automobile in India that exudes such massive road presence. The side profile features a new Z-shaped line below the windows and redone fenders. The overall design language loops in the unique ‘Japanese’ design elements that we have always loved on Lexus cars. The face gets a massive in-your-face six-slat grille that dwarfs the humongous Toyota logo and headlights.
The backside is clearly Vellfire as well, the signature V-shaped taillamps just announce to everyone that yes, this in fact is a Vellfire. The prominent Vellfire badging does the due for those who have been living under a rock and have not seen the previous generation Vellfires goofing about on Indian roads.
As is with the Vellfire, ‘the joy of comfortable mobility’ remains at the core of the interior design. Toyota’s team aimed to make the Vellfire an absolutely versatile vehicle, they have prioritised the rear seats so that the Vellfire can be used as both, a ‘super-luxury mobile office’ and as an ‘exquisitely comfortable private room!’
The new & improved seat design enhances comfort and reduces fatigue. The rear side of the cabin features a large overhead console for the passengers to control everything about the cabin. The console is flanked on either side by individual sunroofs whose sunshades can be operated individually. The interior has lower levels of vibrations, thanks to the new TNGA-K platform that has now been optimised for minivans.
Up front, the entire dashboard and centre console sees a redesign to make it much simpler and minimal. The car gets loads of ADAS systems to aid your chauffer while he navigates the crowded Indian streets whilst relocating your palace on wheels.
Getting into the Vellfire has been made easier as well, the Vellfire & Alphard twins are the first ever Toyota’s to feature Universal Steps on either side of the car. The new Vellfire is also longer making it child’s play to fit six people comfortably.
The Vellfire gets a 2.5L inline four engine that develops 247hp whilst providing the great fuel efficiency that the Toyota hybrid system is known for. Additionally, there is another 2.4L turbocharged inline four engine option that develops 275hp & 430Nm of torque.
The car will initially be launched in the Land of the Rising Sun before it makes its way over to Indian shores. Priced at JPY 8,920,000/- for the top spec variant of the Vellfire, it converts to approximately INR 54.53 Lakh at current exchange rates. Although, we expect the Vellfire to be priced upwards of INR 1 crore when it launches in India, which will be soon!
Words: Sresht Garg
