2016 Toyota Fortuner spotted testing in Thailand

The 2016 Toyota Fortuner has been spotted testing in Thailand. Sold as Hilux pickup in many other global markets, the new Fortuner and the next-generation Innova are being developed under Toyota’s Innovative International Multipurpose Vehicle project and is underpinned by the company’s brand new TNGA platform.

The spotting of the Fortuner in Thailand is significant for the Indian market too as the cars sold here are made by assembling the completely knocked down units imported from Thailand. Details about the new Fortuner are still sketchy, though it was revealed earlier that the car will be based on the new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). This new scalable platform has been developed to be used in cars from multiple segments and will be shared with the new Innova, which was spied recently in Bangalore.

The new Fortuner might get an updated engine with more power and better efficiency, which is one of the weak points of the SUV. Despite having ample power, the Fortuner isn’t a quick vehicle thanks to its two tonne weight which affects both the performance and efficiency. Toyota might retain the five-speed manual and automatic gearbox, though a six-speed unit would be welcome. It will continue to be offered in four-wheel-drive and two-wheel-drive variants.

Its rugged looks and the lucrative price tag have resulted in the Fortuner becoming one of the top selling cars in its segment. Besides its size, road presence and space, Toyota’s reliability and service quality have also aided the Fortuner in returning consistent sales figures over these years. The Toyota Fortuner competes with other SUVs like the Ssangyong Rexton, Ford Endeavour and the Chevrolet Captiva.