Toyota Fortuner

Posted by: Unknown on 08:29 in Toyota 0

Toyota Fortuner is an impressive power machine with muscular body and its sporty looks can take anyone’s fancy. Toyota Fortuner facelift was displayed at Indonesian Motor Show in 2011. The mighty SUV is launched in various markets across the globe like Malaysia, Thailand, Oman, etc before coming to India. Toyota launched its very successful urban SUV-Toyota Fortuner in Indian market with only one diesel variant back in 2009. This mid-sized SUV, also known as Toyota SW4 in global market, is actually based on Toyota Hilux’s platform (It is a pick-up truck not present in India). The vehicle was originally designed by Toyota Technical Centre in Australia. It is assembled in India from CKD kits by Toyota Kirloskar Motors Pvt. Ltd.

Toyota Fortuner is an elegantly functional car, with its king size interiors and stylish exteriors. Even with one variant equipped with Toyota's most popular 3.0L diesel engine mated to five speed manual transmission gearbox and with 4WD (Four Wheel Drive) option, the SUV was capable of finding place in large garages of many Indian homes. Such is the craze for Fortuner SUV that many a times the company has not been able to meet the overwhelming demand for this vehicle and had to stop the bookings. With the launch of Toyota Fortuner, Toyota planned to make its position strong in the premium SUV segment dominated by Honda CRV, Chevrolet Captiva and Ford Endeavour. The company has placed Toyota Fortuner in the highly competitive price range of Rs 18 to 20 lakhs in its segment. However, in the Auto 2012, Fortuner lovers were pleased to welcome the facelift version of this much adorable SUV at the Pragati Maidan in Delhi.

Toyota Fortuner was initially launched only with a 3.0L diesel engine with 4WD (4 - Wheel Drive) that produces 168 bhp power and 343 Nm of torque, the engine mated to a 5 speed manual transmission. However in 2012, Toyota also launched 2WD (2- Wheel drive) models of Fortuner. Two more variants are added to the fleet-a 4 speed automatic and a 5-speed manual version. Same D4-D 3.0 lire diesel engine powers these two variants. Experts reveal that gearshifts are smooth and new Toyota Fortuner is perfect for City driving.

Looks are the most important part of any vehicle that falls in SUV segment and this Japanese auto manufacturer does not disappoint in this regard. While those who own a Fortuner, drive it in pride and those who wishes to buy it stare at it as their dream SUV. Toyota Fortuner front appears aggressive and sheds dynamic look with strong bonnet lines and large head lamps that are placed next to the grille. The 2012 Toyota Fortuner grille is quite wider than the predecessor and the head lamps are angular now. Toyota Motors have dressed the front face of 2012 Fortuner SUV with new bumpers and a wider intake on bonnet for intercooler plus new alloy wheels have been added to change the side profile of the SUV. Ultimate comforts are bang on and the interior are extremely pleasing. Toyota has combined boldness and refinement in this model to present sporty and stylish looks.

Its menacing front grille, black sporty side step with sporty roof rails and its 17" alloy wheels give it a killer look. The elegant interiors of Toyota Fortuner take inspiration from Land Cruiser styling. 2012 Toyota Fortuner comes with newly designed centre console which is now equipped with a six-inch touch-screen which has also been added by Toyota in the new Innova. This so called infotainment system controls the audio system, the DVD player and reverse camera. A new Bluetooth telephony function has been added in the car and the new lighter steering wheel now comes with controls for the same. The driver seat gets six-way power adjustments and the instrument control is viewed better by Optitron dials which are revised for better visibility. The dual air conditioning system of Toyota Fortuner with automatic climate control system offers weather as per the needs of drivers and passengers during journey.

The new 2WD Toyota Fortuner is equipped with double wishbone coil springs front suspension and non-independent rear suspension while the 4WD model has 4-link with lateral rod rear suspension that reduces the jerks and enhances the handling capacity which makes the driving more comfortable. Active safety features that you will find in Toyota Fortuner are Dual Front Airbags, ABS with EBD and ESP etc. Overall, Toyota Fortuner is a stunner is terms of performance and off-road handling.

Acceleration & Pick-Up  

The original Toyota Fortuner was launched in four wheel drive version. This 4 WD (Four Wheel Drive) option is equipped with a 3.0L, 2982cc diesel engine mated to five speed manual transmission that also offers good acceleration and this model can also achieve the 100 kmph mark in just 9.61 seconds and can touch top speed mark of 176 kmph.

However, Toyota has also added two brand new Two Wheel drive models, both packed with same 3 litre diesel engine. One of the 2WD models is manual, while the other is automatic version. While the top speed mark of these variants is same as 4WD, the acceleration comes to about 14.5 seconds (0-100 kmph).

New Toyota Fortuner Engine and Performance

Toyota Fortuner is availablein Indian market only with the diesel engine option which is powered by the high capacity longitudinally placed 3.0L, 2982cc, diesel engine that produces maximum power of 168 bhp at 3600 rpm and 343 Nm torque at 1400-3400 rpm. The turbocharged engine delivers high engine performance with excellent acceleration and fuel efficiency so that Toyota Fortuner never vibrates even after the speed of 130kmph. The turbo charger with intercooler keeps the performance level of this SUV at ace by cooling the compressed air that comes from the turbocharger before it enters the engine. Since, cooled air carries more oxygen, it results in better combustion. Earlier only 4 wheel drive version was present but in 2012 company will launch the two wheel drive versions, one of them has 4 speed automatic transmission.  Power transfer will be done by the rear wheels as the automatic version is not available as a four-wheel drive model.

Handling & Safety

Toyota Fortuner offers lots of safety features for both driver and pedestrians. The active safety features that are available with Toyota Fortuner includes Dual Front SRS Airbags that greatly reduces the chance of injury in case of front collision, ABS with EBD that enables the driver to maneuver the vehicle even during hard braking, 15” Front Disc Brakes that de-accelerate the vehicle instantly. The other passive safety features that are available with Toyota Fortuner are Multi-Reflector Quad Headlamps, LED High Mount Tail Lamps, and GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) body provides the highest level of safe body in its segment.

Price: Rs 22,36,868^* - Rs 23,98,098^*