Toyota Fortuner has been the undisputed leader in the SUV segment in India, and after a long wait, Toyota finally launched the all-new Fortuner in India. Priced between Rs 25.92 and Rs 31.12 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) depending on the variant, the new Toyota Fortuner is now officially on sale in India and competes with the Ford Endeavour and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
The new Fortuner comes with an all new design which looks more sophisticated and comes packed with features. Here is a list of five of the top features in the new Fortuner.
1.All-LED headlamps:
The new Fortuner is the first SUV in its class to get all-LED headlamps. it is as much a safety feature as it is a feel good one. The All-LED headlamps don't just help with good road illumination, these add to the contemporary style and posturing of the new Fortuner. Wish it had adaptive lighting; just to make the best of this technology.
2. Active Traction Control (A-TRC) system:
Also new to the 2016 Toyota Fortuner is the A-TRC or Active Traction Control system. Unlike the old car which had a full-time all-wheel drive system, the new Fortuner uses much simpler hardware. It has the regular 4x4 system which when shifted to 4 high or 4 low sends 50:50 torque distribution between the front and rear axle. However, to make it more capable, the new Fortuner uses its ABS and traction control system as part of the A-TRC to create a pseudo limited slip differential. End result? You should be able to get the Fortuner unstuck like you would an SUV with an LSD.
3. iMT mode
The iMT or intelligent manual transmission mode on the manual version of the diesel powered new Fortuner is a revelation. With its rev-matching feature, be it during up or down shifts, it just makes you seem like a better, smoother driver. Gear shifts in this mode are completely jerk-free.
It doesn't come on as default, however, because the rev-matching tends to consume more fuel. So, one must remember to push the centre console mounted button every time the car is started.
4. New engine
Interestingly, Toyota is offering a petrol option for the first time on the Fortuner. It is the same 164bhp 2.7-litre four cylinder engine from the Innova that comes with both manual and automatic options and rear-wheel drive only. Fortuner also gets the 2.8-litre diesel engine previously seen in the Innova Crysta. While the power output is nearly the same at 174bhp, it develops more torque. This engine is mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. These new engines are comparatively quiet and refined and generate more torque (420Nm for manual and 450Nm for automatic), courtesy of revised ECU and alterations made to some engine components.
5. New ladder frame chassis:
The new Fortuner shares its underpinnings with the Innova Crysta that have been reinforced to make it more rigid. There are additional cross-members and welding points to increase stiffness but end up making the chassis heavier. This provides the car good torsional & bending rigidity when off-roading and with new suspension, smoothens the ride, increasing handling and straight-line stability. The new Fortuner does have a lighter top hat, but it hasn't helped bring down the overall weight of the SUV.
