New Toyota Fortuner: First look

 Toyota, it seems, is making good on its promise of producing ‘no boring cars’. How else can you explain the radical looks of the all-new, second-generation Fortuner, slated for an early launch towards the end of the year? Very different from the car it replaces, the new Fortuner is built on the new Toyota light truck platform. Thing is, unlike the current car, it looks nothing like the truck on which it is based.

The design language is now more in line with current-gen Toyota off-roaders sold internationally. Up front, the look of the car is characterised by the wedge shaped bonnet and the long, Camry-like headlights that are recessed well back. Big, fat chrome bars have been used to help define the V-shaped grille and there’s loads of chrome around the sunken fog lamps as well. Toyota has also used LED daytime-running lamps to help add ‘bling’ to the nose. 

Moving to the sides, the wheel arches now get a ‘square’ profile and are large enough to take the big 12-spoke alloy wheels. The sides are characterised by two design elements that stand out. The first is a ‘floating or pillar-less’ roof that Toyota has used to great effect. And then there’s that kink in the beltline that looks radical and really sets the Fortuner apart. It’s quite new-age from the rear as well. The pillar-less glass breaks up the mass quite nicely, the sleek tail-lights merge with the bar of chrome well and the wide rear bumper stops the SUV from looking too top heavy.

But though the new Fortuner looks much sleeker, it’s still a traditional body-on-frame SUV under the skin. The chassis, however, is new. Shared with the Hilux pick-up, it is lighter and stiffer, but Toyota says it is just as rugged as that of the earlier SUV. While the front suspension is similar to the new Hilux pick-up, the Fortuner gets a more passenger-friendly five-link coil spring suspension at the rear. The new Fortuner is, interestingly, built on the same 2,750mm wheelbase as earlier. The new car, though, is now not as focussed on off-road use. Ground clearance is lower at 193mm, versus the earlier car’s 220mm, the earlier Fortuner’s full-time four-wheel-drive system has now been replaced by a part-time system and the new Fortuner will be available in 2WD too. 4WD variants will get shift-on-the-fly tech as well. Four-wheel-drive cars will also get the option of a rear differential lock and hill descent control.

The other big change on the next-gen Fortuner will be Toyota’s new GD series engines. They comprise two diesels  – a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel, expected to replace the current 2.5-litre diesel unit, and a 2.8-litre motor that will replace the current 3.0-litre unit. The new 2.4-litre 2GD-FTV motor is rated at 148bhp and 40.78kgm of torque while  the larger 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV is rated at 175bhp and 45.9kgm of torque. Transmission choices will include a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, depending on the variant.

Inside, the dashboard is also more modern soft roader than full-fat SUV. Similar to the current-generation Corolla Altis sold in India, it gets a mix of dark and light brown soft-touch materials and faux aluminium. The large infotainment screen sits at the centre and the controls for HVAC are placed below. On higher trims, the seven-seat cabin will get leather seats and a new four-spoke steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls.

The Toyota Fortuner is likely to come with features such as a rear-view camera, seven airbags, hill descent control, rear AC vents, touchscreen, 17-inch wheels, disc brakes front and rear, and a cooled glove box. Higher variants are likely to come with reverse parking sensors, keyless smart entry and start, downhill assist control, LED headlamps and LED DRLs.

Toyota is expected to bring the new Fortuner to India towards the end of the year or early next year, when it will compete with the likes of the new Ford Endeavour and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. Since the new series of engines will be assembled and made in India, Toyota could launch the new Fortuner at a more attractive price, which could really shake the market up.