As some of you would have known, the upcoming Toyota Fortuner is bound for its global debut sometime soon after leaked pictures were found circulating the net. It’s also about time for Toyota to reveal the Hilux-based SUV, for the pickup truck is officially on sale in Thailand at present time.
We previously looked into the Hilux’s advanced new 2.4-litre and 2.8-litre turbodiesel engines (2GD-FTV and 1GD-FTV respectively), and we are certain that the Fortuner will also benefit from them. This handsome SUV accommodates seven individuals with three rows of seats, putting it squarely against the Isuzu MU-X and Ford’s new Everest.
| Engine Name | 1GD-FTV | 2GD-FTV |
| Displacement (cc) | 2,754 (2.8-litre) | 2,393 (2.4-litre) |
| Bore x Stroke (mm) | 92.0 x 103.6 | 92.0 x 90.0 |
| Compression Ratio |
15.6:1 |
|
| Max Power (bhp @ rpm) | 174 hp @ 3,400 rpm | 148 hp @ 3,400 rpm |
| Max Torque (Nm @ rpm) | 450 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,400 rpm | 330 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,000 rpm |
| Low-Speed Torque (Nm @ rpm) | 370 Nm @ 1,200 rpm | 330 Nm @ 1,200 rpm |
Unlike the outgoing Fortuner, the new one carries almost no visual similarities to the Hilux, and like the MU-X, the rear suspension gets a five-link coil spring setup instead of the pickup’s leaf spring configuration. The Fortuner boasts having 225 mm of ground clearance, exactly like the new Everest – both best in its class. As for its water wading capability, the number remains unknown, but it will surely be close to the Everest’s 800 mm benchmark.
If you weren’t attracted to the Fortuner before, this wildly styled SUV-ute will be a tad hard to resist. Australian customers will get the bigger 2.8-litre engine paired to a six-speed automatic transmission which sends power to the part-time four-wheel drive system. The engine produces 174 hp at 3,400 rpm and 450 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 2,400 rpm.
Despite having a 2,800 kg towing capacity (3,000 kg for the manual gearbox), the rugged SUV offers quite an impressive list of amenities to begin with. There’s seven airbags as standard, touchscreen head unit, all-round disc brakes and electronic stability control. The range topper will get LED headlamps with LED DRLs, 18-inch wheels, powered tailgate, smart entry with push-start button and hill descent control.
We can’t say for sure if Malaysian-bound Fortuners will mirror the Australian’s specs, but if UMW Toyota Motor aims to give Ford a real challenge, we expect no less than what the folks at the land Down Under are getting.
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