Toyota to launch new Granace soon

Toyota Motor Corporation has announced plans to introduce its new MPV called Granace later this year in Japan. The model's name is taken from the word 'gran', which means 'big or great' in Spanish, and 'ace', which means 'top or excellent person' in English.

Prior to its rollout in Japan, the new Granace will be unveiled at the Toyota Auto Body Co (Toyota Auto Body) booth at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show 2019, which is to be held from October 24 through to November 4.

Toyota says the Granace features high-quality performance, delivering sophisticated riding comfort, superior control stability, and a spacious interior. The vehicle design is such that the driver's seat is positioned at the rear end of the powertrain, resulting in a very short bonnet. The new Granace is 5300mm long, 1970mm wide and 1990mm tall, with a 3210mm wheelbase. The expansive interior (length: 3290mm; width: 1735mm, height: 1290mm).

The Granace has two types of seating arrangements are available: the six-seater with seats in three rows of two, and the eight-seater with seats in four rows of two (above).

Six- and eight-seater layout
The Granace has two types of seating arrangements are available: the six-seater with seats in three rows of two, and the eight-seater with seats in four rows of two. The four seats comprising the second and third rows feature leather captain seats designed for complete relaxation provide a high-quality interior space. In addition to comfortable seating, the new model is equipped with a long slide mechanism and an ottoman mechanism in and other amenities that enhance convenience and comfort.

Wood grain finish flows from the back of the front seats toward the side trim as if to wrap rear seat passengers in comfort. The LED side colour illumination is gently lit, further expressing an elegant and calm quality.

The front-wheel-drive Toyota Granace is powered by a 1GD 2.8-litre clean diesel engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, claimed to achieve smooth and torque-strong driving from low speeds. Toyota says the newly developed trailing-link rigid-axle suspension is used for the rear suspension. "The high rigidity body, including the adoption of a ring-shaped frame, achieves a luxurious, comfortable ride with stable handling. Thorough vibration and sound insulation measures provide a serene quietness suitable for luxury wagons in various road environments," says the press note.

The Granace comes standard with the latest version of Toyota Safety Sense, featuring improved sensing functions that make use of the pre-collision safety system that detects pedestrians during the day and at night, as well as cyclists during the day. It also gets Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Parking Support Brakes (Stationary Objects) that helps reduce and/or mitigate damage from collisions during low-speed driving in parking lots.