The month had just begun and we had discussed about the upcoming Corolla Altis Diesel. We spoke of the diesel motor’s power and efficiency. Worry not, for we aren’t making any alterations in what we said. The car is still going to deliver a mileage of 21.42 kmpl. But, don’t you want to know when the car is going to hit the roads? Today, we have confirmed news about the new car’s launch. Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has announced that the diesel Corolla Altis will be launched in India in August 2010.

There were rumours about the diesel version of the popular Corolla Altis since 2008. However, the car maker had always remained tight-lipped about it. Finally, we have the news coming directly out of the horse’s mouth. But, even till now, the specifications of the diesel engine that we discussed about the other day haven’t been officially released. It looks like Toyota is not too bothered about it or is just enjoying the importance it is getting by maintaining the silence. The car maker knows very well that demand for the diesel-powered sedan in India is going to be very high. The Corolla line of cars has already enjoyed a lot of fame since its global inception in 1966.

So for now, let’s stick on to the power-packed 1,364 cc diesel engine that can shake up 89 bhp at 3800 rpm and an impressive maximum torque of 205 Nm at a relatively low 2800 rpm. The Spanish variant of the Corolla Altis Diesel is strapped with the same the 1.4 D-4D common rail turbo diesel. And, as this info was apparently obtained from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), there is hardly any possibility it being false.

The Corolla was the highest selling car globally in 1997 and has sold over 35 million units till 2007. The car was brought into the Indian car market five years ago and has already managed to sell more than 40,000 units. As we already know, Toyota will also launch hatchback and sedan variants of the Etios powered by petrol engines. Recent rumours say that Toyota is not planning on releasing a hybrid version of the Etios in India and the car maker has been struggling to meet the supply of the Toyota Fortuner diesel model.

By the way, have you heard the latest news about the Toyota Fortuner’s new 4.0l VVT-i petrol engine? They say it’s not for India. Toyota Indonesia has been working on the expansion of the Indonesian production plant to meet the growing demands of the Fortuner in the country, in the Middle-East and Philippines. The expansion is believed to be complete by August this year and around 10,000 units of the Toyota Fortuner will be traded by the year end.

This Toyota Fortuner, with the latest 4.0l VVT-i motor petrol motor produces 235 bhp, and the 2.7l VVT-i motor engine churns out 160 bhp. But, unfortunately, Toyota says that it does not have a skeleton to deliver petrol-engined Fortuner to India.

So the bottom line is: no petrol Fortuner for India. Toyota has been struggling to deliver the existing diesel variant. The 3-litre diesel Fortuner has been selling real well in the country and is in great demand. So, that said, there is no more scope for speculation about which petrol motor of the Fortuner would be getting on to the Indian roads.