VANity fair

The rich and famous enjoy a life of opulence and luxury in their homes, their offices and even in the air and Toyota wants them to feel just as pampered on the road

- Dhruv Saxena

Until about a year ago, if you wanted a luxury MPV, the best you could was the Toyota Innova Crysta. But since you’ve been accustomed to a certain lifestyle as the owner of a multi-crore business or as an actor or as a politician, something like an Innova will feel decidedly utilitarian. Over the last 12 months or so, there have been launches targeted at these buyers in the form of the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and the Kia Carnival and now, Toyota has decided to dive into this niche space with the Vellfire. The company says it is aimed at customers who are accustomed to a first-class lifestyle in their homes, their offices and while flying so it wants these discerning buyers to have a similar experience on the road too.

At 4,935mm long, 1,850mm wide and 1,895mm tall and sitting on a 3,000mm wheelbase, the Vellfire is quite generously proportioned. While it may look considerably larger than an Innova, the Vellfire is around 200mm longer and just 20mm wider. In fact, the Vellfire is shorter and narrower than both the Kia Carnival and Mercedes-Benz V-Class. It is, however, taller than all three and also, arguably, has far greater road presence. Like the way it looks or no, the Vellfire will certainly turn heads thanks in part to that in-your-face nose dripping with chrome. There’s more bling all around with chrome finish, or “Hyper Chrome” as Toyota likes to call it, 17-inch alloy wheels, around the DLO and towards the rear. All that chrome somehow suits the car and also helps add some style to the side and the rear whose design seems to draw inspiration from a breadbox. Lighting, front and back, is a full LED affair complete with the in vogue sequential turn indicators.