The Toyota Aqua hybrid was recently spotted testing on the roads of Gurgaon, India, sparking speculation about its possible launch. The test vehicle was seen with red registration plates and lacked any visible Toyota or model-specific branding.
Despite the test mule's appearance, it is highly unlikely that the Toyota Aqua hybrid will be launched in India. The car measures approximately 4 metres in length, which means it doesn’t qualify for the tax benefits given to sub-4-metre vehicles in India.
The Aqua hybrid features a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to a strong hybrid system, producing 91PS of power and 120Nm of torque. This is a similar powertrain currently offered in the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and its counterpart, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Toyota India currently offers a wide range of vehicles powered by petrol, diesel, CNG, and hybrid technologies. The brand has focused heavily on hybrids recently, aligning its strategy with Maruti Suzuki to share platforms and powertrains.
Toyota’s entry into the electric vehicle segment in India is expected soon with the launch of the Urban Cruiser EV. This new EV will be based on the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, which will hit the Indian market first.