The Toyota Qualis is
no raving beauty but Toyota's formidable reputation for reliability
and value will bring great joy to many who had to tolerate India's poor
existing range of utility vehicles that were unreliable, uncomfortable,
noisy and hard to drive. It is roughly the size of a Sumo with sensible
clean lines and a big top-hinged rear hatch. The 175mm tyres are on
smal 14 inch wheel rims that make city driving crisp and easy but have
enough clearance for the rough roads.
The
power plant a well proven diesel fired 75 bhp 2446 cc L2 engine that
provides smooth acceleration without the harsh noisiness of most diesels.
With a big torque of 15.4 kgm at 2400 rpm, it has a snappy pick-up and
will match the speed of most cars upto 90 kmph but can hit a top speed
of 130.
The engine speed sensing
power steering provides such precise control that any teenaged girl
can easily handle it. The tough suspension, with double wishbones and
coil springs in front and leaf springs at the rear with stabaliser bars
smooth out the bumps and potholes without losing it's balance. It has
a slight tendency to roll but does not lose direction with repeated
fast cornering. The big ventilated front disc and rear drum brakes with
load sensing valves effectively control speed without any grab, skid
or squeak.
The
dashboard looks like a luxury car with imitation wood paneling on the
deluxe GST version with big and well illuminated instruments. The seating
arrangements of 8 or 10 seats are flexible in three rows. The AC is
effective with a powerful 3-speed blower in the dash and the option
of an extra roof-mounted blower unit. Apart from the usual blower unit
it has hi and lo buttons for extra cooling.
The fuel consumption according to ARAI tests is 15.1 Kmpl with AC and
18.1 without AC under ideal test conditions. A 30% drop can be expected
in real life. It should be good as it weighs 1500 Kgs empty, or about
200 kgs less than a Sumo
The
Qualis may be new for India but it is built on a successful platform
that Toyota has been marketing to about 3 million customers over the
past 12 years. Other versions like the Kajang in Indonesia, Venture
in South Africa, Zace in Taiwan, Tomaro in Philippines and similar models
in Thailand and Malaysia are popular with those who want a comfortable
multi purpose vehicle.
The present plant capacity is 50,000 units with 20,000 planned for the
first year. There will be five variants at prices to be announced at
the launch on January 11. in Indonesia.
Know all about Qualis - visit
cybersteering CarBazaar
The
power plant a well proven diesel fired 75 bhp 2446 cc L2 engine that
provides smooth acceleration without the harsh noisiness of most diesels.
With a big torque of 15.4 kgm at 2400 rpm, it has a snappy pick-up and
will match the speed of most cars upto 90 kmph but can hit a top speed
of 130.
The
dashboard looks like a luxury car with imitation wood paneling on the
deluxe GST version with big and well illuminated instruments. The seating
arrangements of 8 or 10 seats are flexible in three rows. The AC is
effective with a powerful 3-speed blower in the dash and the option
of an extra roof-mounted blower unit. Apart from the usual blower unit
it has hi and lo buttons for extra cooling.
The
Qualis may be new for India but it is built on a successful platform
that Toyota has been marketing to about 3 million customers over the
past 12 years. Other versions like the Kajang in Indonesia, Venture
in South Africa, Zace in Taiwan, Tomaro in Philippines and similar models
in Thailand and Malaysia are popular with those who want a comfortable
multi purpose vehicle. 
Know all about Qualis - visit
cybersteering 
