Japanese auto leader Toyota’s Indian presence, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is working to expand its premium SUV Fortuner’s lineup with new variants with different mechanical specifications. The Toyota Fortuner range in India from this festival season onwards will start with a base model of 2.5 liter diesel engine manual variant with a rear wheel drive system. At present the base variant of the Fortuner premium SUV is a 2WD variant which is powered by a larger 3 liter diesel mill that has the capability of producing 171 PS of max power at 3600 rpm and the peak torque of 34.98 kg-m at 1400-3400 rpm.
This 2.5 liter diesel engine has been borrowed from the Toyota Innova MPV, where it is available mated to only a manual transmission along with a 2WD system. This diesel mill is capable of producing a max power output of 102 PS at 3,600 rpm and a peak torque 20.4 kg-m at 1200-3600 rpm. These power figures are expected to be raised further in order to achieve enhanced driving performance and better power to drive the Fortuner which is heavier than that of the Innova.
As per the media reports the new 2.5 liter Fortuner variant will have a price tag of s. 20.82 lakh and this will make the Fortuner start at a new entry level price that will be a good 1 lakh cheaper than the present base model of the hot selling premium SUV.
Moreover, Toyota is also planning to add a new variant at the high-end side of the range, and this will be a new range topper variant for the Fortuner. This new top-end variant will be getting a 3.0 liter engine along with an automatic transmission and like a cherry on top of a cake will also feature an all 4 wheel drive system. At present, the Toyota Fortuner lineup has AT transmission model in only 2 Wheel Drive system.
The Toyota Fortuner has been a constant bestselling model from Toyota India. This superior and smart premium SUV has been a constant segment leader as well despite the launch of many new rival models from various other car manufacturers. Some of these new premium SUVs are very capable as well, such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton. However, no other premium SUV has been able to beat the great stylish and tough Fortuner SUV from Toyota when it comes to the premium SUV segment in India.
The SUV segment has been particularly very popular in India over the last few years, and this affinity towards the large luxurious and tough vehicles seems to be on the rise. However, as India is primarily a price conscious market the luxury or premium SUVs naturally sells less than their more affordable counterparts. Indian car market is more inclined on the cost effective compact SUVs than can do the duty as city cars as well. However, Toyota’s Fortuner has been a real expensive winner.
This post was written by
I am into the auto blogs field for quite a long time. Living my passion of reviewing cars.
Tagged: Toyota Fortuner
Leave a Reply