Tomorrow at Thailand, Japanese automaker Toyota will unveil the 2016 Fortuner, the successor to the hugely popular luxury SUV that goes by the same name. The 2016 Fortuner is expected to make its India debut early next year. Images of the uncamouflaged 2016 Fortuner has already hit the interweb. Now though, we have studio quality images of the vehicle in question. While the image gallery has been lined up below, let’s quickly run through the design highlights of the new T-Fort.
In its latest guise, The Fortuner loses none of its butch appeal. Sleeker headlamps with projectors inset give the SUV a leaner, meaner look, with a massive front bumper adding to the effect. Off road enthusiasts will be salivating at the amount of clearance a metal bumper would give considering how high set the stock plastic bumper is.
There’s plenty of chrome up front, while the profile of the new Fortuner shows a prominent kink. The alloy wheels gain a new design while the rear is a completely revamped area as well. New tail lamps, a new hatch and revised bumpers are the prominent changes.
The Fortuner sold in India is likely to be offered with 2 new turbo diesel engines, in 2.4 liter (147 Bhp-400 Nm) and 2.8 liter (174 Bhp-450 Nm) capacities. Belonging to the new range of highly fuel efficient GD range of turbo diesel motors, these downsized, 4 cylinder engines will make more power and torque too. 6 speed manual and automatic transmissions will be on offer.
In terms of mechanicals to go off road, a four wheel drive layout will be standard fitment on the top-end variants, while the lower variants are likely to be make do with a rear wheel drive layout. Double wishbones up front and coilovers at the rear handle suspension duties. The Fortuner sits on a ladder frame chassis, while the insides of the SUV get a major revamp in terms of features offered.
For instance, paddle shifters for the automatic gearbox make a maiden appearance on the Fortuner range. Similarly, a push button start and a touchscreen based Toyota link infotainment interface are some of the new features that will be offered on the new SUV internationally. Many of these features could make it to the India-spec Fortuner as well, which will be CKD assembled at Bidadi.