Toyota's global design chief, Tokuo Fukuichi, has admitted that the brand's design language is not as "distinctive" as its competitors. And a majority of us have been saying that for quite sometime now. In India especially, cars such as the Etios and Liva look a bit dull and boring.
The refreshed Innova, though not yet launched in India, has not favored the best of views thanks to the larger front grille which looks disproportionate. While Toyota's Furia concept unveiled at this year's Detroit Motor Show got a lot of positive views, the production 2014 U.S.-spec Corolla looks no where as aggressive as the concept, though it is much sportier to look at than the Euro and ASEAN-spec Corolla.
However, with the next-generation 2015 Toyota Prius, Fukuichi says that he has a "winning formula" for its design. It is reported that Toyota has not yet finalized the entire design of the hybrid car, and as a result, testing is taking place using the current Prius' body parts.
Based on a new TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, Toyota looks to increase the number of common parts and the general part sharing amongst the models thanks to the flexible nature of this platform. Company officials have already stated on record that the car would lose its "wedge-like" shape and would favor a more aerodynamic design.
Toyota believes that starting with the new Prius, their vehicles will have the much needed 'emotive appeal', which has generally been lacking with all Toyota-branded vehicles.
[Source - 4wheelsnews.com]
