Toyota Kirloskar Motor have introduced the all-new Fortuner in India starting from Rs 25.92 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The Fortuner has been a runaway success for Toyota, making several buyers across several strata of society opt for it for its butch looks and seven-seat practicality. The new Fortuner hopes to replicate and build on the success of its predecessor with a more contemporary design that still aims to exude the same toughness aura with an equal dash of confidence. New Bi-beam LED headlamps, sleek tail-lamps and a rising shoulder line are the key elements of its new style. The interior also benefits from a pleasing, aesthetic finish with dark wood-finish trim and contrast silver metal accents. There is a new touchscreen centre display which integrates media and navigation and is very simple to use and easy to get used to.
The engine options are all new too. There is even a petrol version. The Fortuner is available with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions in both petrol and diesel. The petrol is rear-wheel-drive only, while the diesel will be available with 4×2 (rear-wheel-drive) and selectable-4×4 drivelines. The 2.7-litre petrol engine is the same as seen in the new Innova Crysta, and makes 166 PS at 5,200 rpm and 245 Nm at 4,000 rpm. It gets a five-speed manual transmission or a newly-developed six-speed automatic.
The diesel engine is the next-generation 1GD (also seen in the Innova Crysta AT in a lesser state of tune) with 177 PS at 3,400 rpm. The manual version gets 420 Nm of peak torque, while the automatic can handle 450 Nm, both of which peak between 1,600 and 2,400 rpm. The diesel gets a six-speed manual, as well as the new six-speed automatic. The Fortuner also gets three drive modes: normal, Eco and Power. ‘Eco’ shifts early and delays throttle response slightly to improve fuel economy. ‘Power’ shifts later, to keep the motor on the boil, and increases throttle response ever so slightly as well. The manual also gets an ‘iMT’ intelligent mode which rev-matches the ratios thereby improving shifting quality and time.
Among the big additions are all four disc brakes with ABS, EBD and Brake Assist. Braking was one of the biggest woes on the old car and Toyota seem to have aptly addressed that. Safety-wise, there isn’t anything that’s really spared. Seven airbags are standard, as are WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) front seats. There are ISOFIX child-seat anchors as well. Active traction control is standard too. The automatic variants also get vehicle stability control (VSC) and Hill-hold Assist. The 4×4 models get Downhill Assist Control to make taking on steep descents a walk in the park, so to speak, with selectable 4H (high) and 4L low-range. The 4×2 models ride on 17-inch wheels with 265/65 rubber, whereas the 4×4 models get 18-inch wheels 265/60 rubber.
The three-row seating adds to practicality as does the easy-access function to the third row. Individual folding seats and a sliding and reclining second row are appreciated bits as well. The power tail-gate is a nice touch, but what really is innovative is the memory function that allows the openng height to be saved, making it easier for shorter (or taller) users to convenient access the boot and close the hatch.
The new Fortuner will be available across the country spread across the immediate future. The pricing for the new models is as follows:
Petrol 2.7 4×2 MT: Rs 25.92 lakh
Petrol 2.7 4×2 AT: Rs 27.61 lakh
Diesel 2.8 4×2 MT: Rs 27.52 lakh
Diesel 2.8 4×2 AT: Rs 29.14 lakh
Diesel 2.8 4×4 MT: Rs 30.05 lakh
Diesel 2.8 4×4 AT: Rs 31.12 lakh
Story: Jim Gorde
