Toyota Fortuner 5-speed automatic launched

Toyota has launched the five-speed automatic 4×2 variant of the Fortuner at a price of Rs. 22.33 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. The Fortuner automatic that was launched last year was a four-speed automatic. Bookings for the Fortuner begin on January 18.

New Toyota Fortuner 5-speed automatic launched at Rs. 22.33 lakh

With the launch of the Toyota Fortuner 4×2 automatic with a five-speed automatic transmission, prices remain the same as the earlier variant. The company has also launched two more variants of the Fortuner – or rather made them permanent models. The limited edition Toyota Fortuner TRD Sportivo that was launched a couple of months ago has apparently seen good demand and is now a permanent model. The Toyota Fortuner 4×2 AT TRD Sportivo is priced at Rs. 22.93 lakh, while the 4×2 Manual transmission TRD Sportivo edition is priced at Rs. 21.97 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. The pearl mica white colour that was only available in the Sportivo edition, is now available on all variants. Also read: Toyota Fortuner TRD Sportivo launched

The Sportivo edition is Rs. 60,000 more than the regular edition and has a new sporty front bumper, TRD decals, a roof spoiler, a redesigned rear bumper, more chrome and dual tone colours.

The Toyota Fortuner 4×4 manual transmission has no changes and continues to be one of the best selling Fortuner models. Toyota has been selling an average of 1,200 units of the Fortuner in the past few months, a figure that jumped from around 900 units earlier, after the launch of the 4×2 manual and automatic variants in January 2012. The Fortuner was launched in August 2009 and has since sold over 41,000 units in the Indian market.

The five-speed automatic transmission will make the AT Fortuner slightly more comfortable to drive, as it will be able to upshift to higher gears earlier and bring down NVH levels, as well as moderately increase fuel economy. The Toyota Fortuner gives an average fuel economy of about 10.8 kmpl in normal driving conditions. The Fortuner is powered by a 3-litre diesel engine that puts out 169 bhp of power and 343 Nm of torque, but is penalized by a 1955 kg kerb weight. Also read: 2012 Toyota Fortuner road test

New Toyota Fortuner 5-speed automatic launched at Rs. 22.33 lakh

The Fortuner is imported as a completely built unit from Thailand by Toyota and sold in India. It is built on the IMV platform, which is shared by the Toyota Innova and the Toyota Hilux. It’s a good thing Toyota has brought in the 5-speed automatic Fortuner to compete with the Ford Endeavour, which was already a five-speed automatic (in both 4×2 and 4×4 models) as well as vehicles such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Renault Koleos. However, it could have done this a year ago when it launched the automatic, as customers who bought the earlier automatic may feel short changed now. Also see: Fortuner vs Pajero Sport