The Official Global Debut of New Toyota Fortuner

MANILA: After a lot of teasing on web and spying through cameras, the much anticipated 2016 Toyota Fortuner is here. It officially broke cover this morning in Bangkok, Thailand. After Hilux it is the second model sitting on the IMV platform and according to its Japanese makers the pickup platform passenger vehicle has been developed so that “True SUV with style and confidence” can be created.

The second generation Fortuner is longer and wider with slightly lower roofline. It measures as 4,795 mm long, 1,855 mm wide and 1,835 mm tall with the same wheelbase of 2750 mm. Toyota designers have restyled it as now it has LED DRLs and Bi-Beam projector LED headlamps across all its variants except the base one. The headlights and tail lamps have been slandered and the tail lamps now have LED guiding lights for better visibility. Moreover, all its variants will run on new 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 265/60 R18 tires.

The interiors have also been worked upon where the feel is more premium than its predecessor with more of leather in matte black veneer accents in top variants while other variants have brown leather with wood veneer accents and the base variant comes with cloth upholstery. Smart key with push start/stop button and new multi-information display are standard while the top variants receives a DVD touch-screen entertainment system with navigation along with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters and automated climate control.

Under the hood there are new engines of the GD family which, despite being smaller in displacement with compact configuration, gives better performance and lower emissions. The engines are 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV that produces 177 PS of power at 3400 rpm and torque of 450 Nm in between 1600 and 2400 rpm. Second is the 2.4-litre 2GD-FTV engine which spurts out 150 PS at 3400 rpm and 400 Nm in between 1600 and 2000 rpm. Further, both these engines come with turbocharger that is 30% smaller but way more efficient in terms of acceleration response and is mated to either a 6-speed automatic or manual; gearbox. The 2TR-FE 2.7-litre inline-four VVT-i gasoline engine has also been carried over.

The turning radius have been improved to 5.8 meters along with suspensions. The frame has also been reworked and the drivetrain now supports “Sigma Four” all-wheel drive system so as to make it a true SUV. As far as safety is concerned, it hosts number of features like Trailer Sway control, Hill-start Assist Control, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, ABS with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, 7 airbags and larger disc brakes.

Nebula Blue, Gray Metallic, Attitude Black, Super White, Phantom Brown, White Pearl, and Silver Metallic are the seven colors in which it is available in the Thai markets. The car has five variants as well; the 2.4 AT 4WD (ThB 1,369,000), 2.4 MT 2WD (ThB 1,199,000), 2.7 V AT 2WD (ThB 1,449,000), 2.8V AT 4WD (ThB 1,599,000), and 2.8 AT 2WD (ThB 1,529,000).

Image Courtesy: www.autoindustriya.com