Toyota has begun exporting its new compact SUV. And if in its production homeland the model is available with a 1.2 naturally aspirated engine or a 1.0 turbocharged engine, then the crossover intended for foreign markets received a one and a half liter engine.
Back in the spring, the Toyota range was replenished with a small crossover called the Urban Cruiser Taisor. The five-door was not developed from scratch — it is a clone of the Suzuki Fronx (Suzuki and Toyota have been cooperating for a long time, they already have a number of joint models). Both SUVs are produced in India at the Maruti Suzuki plant (the local subsidiary of Suzuki), so it is not surprising that the residents of this country were the first to receive Toyota’s new product. Now, following the original Fronx, its brother went for export: South Africa became its debut foreign market, and there the Toyota crossover was renamed Starlet Cross. By the way, this decision seems quite logical. The fact is that the Fronx is based on the Baleno hatchback. The latter is also offered under the Toyota brand: in India it is Glanza, and in South Africa it is “simply” Starlet.
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In terms of design, Toyota's export crossover repeated the version for India. If we compare it with the donor Suzuki Fronx SUV, then the Starlet Cross/Urban Cruiser Taisor has its own radiator grille, plus the front bumper has been retouched, and the daytime running lights and taillights have a different diode filling. The length of the Toyota cross is 3995 mm, the wheelbase is 2520 mm. The Starlet Cross's passport ground clearance is 170 mm.
For Indians, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor is available with a gasoline aspirated 1.2 (90 hp, 113 Nm) and a turbocharged 1.0 (100 hp, 148 Nm), in addition, you can choose a car with a bi-fuel version of the 1.2 engine (78 hp at methane). Boxes – five-speed manual or “robot”, classic six-speed automatic. The export clone received a different technique. The Toyota Starlet Cross crossover is equipped with a naturally aspirated 1.5 engine that produces 105 hp. and 138 Nm, the engine is paired with a 5MT or a four-speed automatic. In any case, the drive is exclusively front-wheel drive.
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In South Africa, Toyota's new product is offered in two relatively rich trim levels (in India the choice is wider — “simple” versions are also available there). The base Xs has 16-inch wheels, LED optics, a multimedia system with a 7-inch tablet, a rear view camera, front airbags, and cruise control. The Xr version has a 9-inch multimedia screen, all-round cameras, a head-up display, keyless entry and a start button, wireless charging for a smartphone, side airbags and curtain airbags.
Converted from local currency to our money, Toyota Starlet Cross will cost approximately 1.44 million — 1.73 million rubles (at the current exchange rate). For comparison, the Suzuki Fronx SUV with the same equipment in South Africa costs somewhere from 1.43 million rubles.
Later, the Toyota crossover will reach other countries, but there is no information yet about whether the Starlet Cross name will become uniform for all export markets.