Toyota Motor Corporation has launched the latest version of its best-selling Fortuner SUV, in Thailand. The second-generation Fortuner loses no time in catching up to its rivals. It features a reinforced ladder-frame chassis, all-new diesel engines and six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. It also carries a boatload of creature comforts and convenience features that are rapidly becoming standard in its class.
The exterior shape features a sharp kink behind the doors and a blacked-out C-pillar. It’s more striking than the previous Fortuner but is more polarizing than the safe, conservative shape of the first generation car. The new car measures 4795mm x 1855mm wide. Its height is 1835, making it at last wider than it is tall. Wheelbase is 2750mm, and it has a 193mm ground clearance.
The new Fortuner’s exterior features a large chrome grille, LED headlamps for high and low beam, and front and rear foglamps. Daytime running lights feature LEDs are well. The headlight automatically adjusts from high to low beam. The LED taillights feature a light-guide system to display distinctive horizontal bars when lit. Side mirrors include turn-signal repeaters and puddle lamps. The roof rack is now more flush with the bodwork, and Fortuner uses a shark-fin antenna.
The Fortuner features a seven-seat interior. The driver gets an 8-way power seat and a tilt-telescoping steering wheel with wood and leather finish. The gauges are twin analog Optitron-type with a color TFT screen mounted between to display trip computer information. Seats and dash are trimmed in synthetic leather and metallic accents. The second row splits 60/40 and can be folded and lifted with one touch. The third row splits 50/50 and can fold down into the floor or sideways. Seven airbags are available.
A smart key is standard for the new Fortuner, with push-button engine start. There’s plenty of storage, with bottle bins in the doors, sunglass holder, multiple cup holders, luggage hooks, and a cooler bin fitted above the glovebox. Other convenience features include a 220-volt AC socket and three 12-volt DC outlets. There’s USB and Bluetooth connectivity, for phone and music. Six-speakers are standard for the Fortuner. A backup camera is provided. The tailgate is powered.
There’s a choice between two diesel engines. The base model gets a 2.4-liter inline-4 turbodiesel with 150hp and 400Nm, while the top variants use a 2.8-liter inline-4 turbodiesel with 177hp and 450Nm. The gasoline engine is a 2.7-liter inline-4 with 166hp and 245Nm. Toyota promises a quieter engine and up to 25 percent more fuel mileage from the 2.8-liter diesel compared to the old 3.0. An 80-liter fuel tank further expands the Fortuner’s cruising range. The six-speed automatic features a paddle shift. The 4×4 model no longer gets full-time all-wheel drive, but instead a rotary switch to select among high-range two-wheel and four-wheel drive, and low-range four-wheel drive.
The Fortuner uses independent double wishbones up front and a four-link with coil spring at the rear. Brakes are discs front and drum brakes at the rear. Tires are 265/60 R18s on 18-inch alloy wheels.
ABS and EBD, and brake assist are standard across all Fortuner variants, as are vehicle stability control and traction control. Hill start assist helps keep the Fortuner from rolling backward when on an uphill slope. The 4×4 model has hill descent control for better control when going down steep hills.
The variants and pricing in Thailand are as follows:
2.4G 2WD M/T 1,199,000 baht (around PHP1,586,000)
2.4V 2WD A/T 1,369,000 baht (PHP1,811,000)
2.7V 2WD A/T 1,449,000 baht (PHP1,917,000)
2.8V 2WD A/T 1,529,000 baht (PHP2,023,000)
2.8V 4WD A/T 1,599,000 baht (PHP2,116,000)
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