Toyota HyCross and Hyryder Drive From the Coast to Nathu La for Asia Book of Records
Both strong hybrids drove from a West Bengal beach to the Nathu La pass in Sikkim. Toyota gives the time and the tank, but not the distance or fuel used.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor drove two of its strong hybrids from the seaside village of Mandarmani in West Bengal to the Nathu La pass in Sikkim. The climb took them from 2 metres above sea level to 4,310 metres. The Innova HyCross and the Urban Cruiser Hyryder each earned an Asia Book of Records title for the drive, the company announced on 6 November.
The HyCross holds the record for the most height gained by a car within 24 hours, after finishing the climb in 22 hours and 52 minutes. The Hyryder holds a separate record for the most height gained by a car on a single tank of fuel.
| Car | Record title | Start and finish | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innova HyCross | "Maximum Elevation Gained by a Car in 24 Hours" | 2 m to 4,310 m | 22 hours 52 minutes |
| Urban Cruiser Hyryder | "Highest Elevation Gained by a Car on One Tank of Fuel" | 2 m to 4,310 m | One full tank |
The Route
Mandarmani sits on the Bay of Bengal coast. Nathu La is the mountain pass on Sikkim's border with China. Toyota says the route between them ran along the coast, over highways and up into the mountains.
The release does not give the distance driven, the dates of the drive or the versions of the two cars that took part. It also does not say how much fuel the Hyryder used, or whether either car was modified for the attempt.
Sabari Manohar, an executive vice president at Toyota Kirloskar Motor who oversees sales, service and the used car business, said the drive was "about demonstrating what electrified technology can deliver in the real world". He called strong hybrids "a practical and relevant solution" for cleaner transport in India.
The Two Hybrids
Both cars use Toyota's self-charging hybrid systems, which pair a petrol engine with an electric motor and are never plugged in.
The Hyryder hybrid has a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an e-Drive transmission, with 85 kW of combined output, its brochure shows. It carries 45 litres of fuel and has a certified figure of 27.97 km/l. Toyota's booking website prices its three hybrid versions, S, G and V, from ₹17,18,000 to ₹19,99,000 ex-showroom in Delhi.
The HyCross hybrid pairs a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a hybrid system Toyota rates at 139 kW. It has a 52-litre tank and a certified figure of 22.16 km/l. Prices for the hybrid HyCross start at ₹26,76,000 ex-showroom in Delhi.
Toyota sells two more strong hybrids in India, the Camry and the Vellfire. Its booking website lists both only as hybrids.