Your eyes aren’t fooling you: this is indeed an all-electric Toyota Innova. Unveiled as a concept at the Indonesian International Motor Show or IIMS, it’s a showcase of the Japanese carmaker’s commitment to electrification, even for developing markets such as ASEAN.
Developed by a team of Indonesian Toyota engineers, the Innova EV Concept swaps out its diesel engine for an electric motor and batteries. There’s not much in terms of specs, but that shouldn’t matter because the carmaker says it’s just a study vehicle. It is drivable though and passes Toyota’s own quality and safety assurance checks.
The Innova EV Concept features a closed-off grille (EVs don’t require as much cooling compared to internal combustion engines) and a bevy of blue detailing on the headlights, taillights, and emblems. The charging port is where the fuel filler cap was once before.
Inside, the Innova EV Concept gets a unique instrument cluster, though for some reason, there’s still a tachometer there. It also gets EV and battery-related info on the head unit, light-colored leather seats, and a push-button shifter replacing the traditional PRND one.
Toyota says the Innova was chosen to get the EV treatment simply because of its importance in the Indonesian market where 85 percent of its components are sourced locally there. By developing the Innova EV Concept, they are highlighting the importance they place on their suppliers and partners even in the age of electrification. They’re making sure to cooperate with the entire supply chain in order to create BEVs.
Toyota is planning to produce and market 10 electrified vehicles over the next five years for the Indonesian market.
Keyword: No April Fools: Toyota Unveils Innova EV Concept