TOYOTA FORTUNER

Toyota Fortuner- as power packed as they come

Seeing the Toyota Fortuner ply on the roads gives the immediate feedback that the vehicle is indeed as power packed and heavy as they get in their genre. Muscular designing with sporty looks didn’t get more prominence in recent times, and perhaps ruled its own since 2011, when the Fortuner received a facelift and appeared in Indonesian Motor Show 2011. The first appearance of the car in India was in 2009, and it tasted success in the country rather soon. Back then, the car was bought in as CKD units by Toyota Kirloskar Motors Pvt Ltd, according to original design specifications from the Toyota Technical Centre in Australia, which borrowed the same platform of the Hilux pick-up truck (not introduced in India). Apart from the 3.0L-litre engine, the Fortuner also boasts of a 4-wheel (4WD) drivetrain which can make the car ride on any surface with considerable ease.

Price Range: Rs 21.82 lakhs to Rs 23.41 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi)

Color Options: 7 (White Pearl Mica, Super White, Silver Mica Metallic, Grey Mica Metallic, Black Mica, Silky Gold Mica Mettalic, Blue Mettalic)

Transmission options: 3 (4WD MT, 2WD MT, 2WD AT)

The Exterior

The Toyota Fortuner was never about any measures when it came to creating a powerful impression on the road, and its borderline intimidating presence when compared to some of its other competitors on road. The Hilux platform is the same story in design, and considering it’s meant for other foreign markets, one would expect something as imposing as this. The front begins with a high raised body colored bumper double layered in its form, which has the black plastic housed fog lamps and a central placed air intake grille. The upper part houses the chrome plated 4-plate aggressive yet sleek main grille, and the HID headlamps (with washer) which extended towards the sides. Considering that there is a powerful engine working in good form beneath the hood, the bonnet has an additional air intake system for better air circulation internally and also perhaps prevent some of the excess heating.

The side profile is remains primarily occupied by the 12-spoke alloy wheels which houses the 265/65 R17 tubeless tires, apart from some handy features like the chrome plated door handles, the metallic shaded roof rails, and the doors. What is also interesting and certainly makes the SUV sportier to look at, is the rear windscreen glass which wraps towards the sides as well. And considering this car has a high ground clearance, there is a metal plate which acts like a step before getting into the car.

The rear face of the Fortuner is just as attractive and dynamic as the rest of the looks of the car. With the sporty roof spoiler with back lights, it becomes easier to spot the car from a distance, just in case one misses the rather prominent chrome strip above the number plate area which has the Toyota logo above it. The only so called deficit, is perhaps the absence of another metal step for the back entry as the space can additionally be doubled up as the 3rd row of seating for the passengers, or additional luggage space depending upon the need. The tail lamps are each divided into 2 parts, with one of them being on the body of the car, and the other being on the door, which also adds to the attractiveness of this side of the Fortuner.

The interior

The space within the cabin of this bossy SUV isn’t mind blowing but still remains as something satisfying for the people who will be spending their buck on the car. The dual tone slate gray and tan colored fabrication of the space does give out a feeling of the Fortuner being a premium option for some, but won’t come out as something totally unique as the look and ambience has perhaps become rather popular with the segment, and quite a few of them seem to offer something similar. Never the less, the Fortuner would be pleasing with the leather wrapped wood finished steering wheel with mounted controls, a 3-dial information illuminated display with speedometer, tachometer, trip meter, alongside vital performance indicators arranged in neat visible order. Within a finger’s reach almost would the headlight adjustment controls, the power window switches, and some of the other usual controls of the vehicle. The 6-way power adjusted driver’s seat helps a great deal with the pilot of the car and his/her positioning for the right drive.

The central console will have the 2DIN infotainment system with 6-inch LCD touchscreen incorporated with Bluetooth, Aux-In, DVD, and rear parking camera, which helps to move this massive vehicle backwards. The controls for the infotainment system, as previously mentioned, lies on the steering wheel, making it easy for the driver to control, until of course they end up pressing the wrong switches. Below that is the automatic climate control system which helps keep the conditions inside just about right. The interesting part is seen with the gear lever, which in this case is 2 in number; the main gear lever for shifting between the regular 5-speeds and the 2nd lever, for converting between different modes of the 4-wheel and 2-wheel drive, depending upon the status of roads. There are also some useful cup-holders near the gear lever, and a central arm rest which also has a removable top for storage inside.

Considering that this large vehicle will have high expectations, which it seems to have taken rather literally, the good in all of it has appeared in the form of the more than decent leg and headroom for passengers seated in the rear seats. With the bucket like design, travelling should be fairly breezy and comfortable, and the separate rear-seat air conditioning adds to the experience as well. Even the 3rd row seats which can seat atleast 2 adults, has not compromised on the comfort while keeping the utility factor in mind to expand the luggage space.

The engine

When buying a car this size, one perhaps can’t be expecting the most efficient engine, but the Toyota Fortuner does well for itself. The 3.0-litre diesel D-4D with intercooler turbocharger, 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC design, comes mated with the 5-speed manual transmission or the optional 4-speed automatic version. This 2,982cc machine could generate up to 169BHP of power with 343Nm torque, and can be availed with options of the 4WD manual, 2WD automatic, or the base model 2WD manual gears. While the manual version has an efficiency of 12.55 kmpl of diesel, the automatic goes down to around 11 kmpl on the highways and bigger roads. The in-city mileage is generally seen to be around 10 kmpl mark, subjective to driving conditions.

Safety features

ABS (Anti-lock braking system), EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), SRS Airbags, vehicle immobilizer.