Alongside the updated Innova, UMW Toyota has now also begun taking orders for the new 2021 Toyota Fortuner here in Malaysia. The 2021 facelift model will be offered in three variants – a 2.7 SRZ AT 4X4 priced at RM172,244, a 2.8 VRZ AT 4X4 priced at RM203,183, and a 2.4 AT 4×4 that will be only be made available in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
These prices are on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions, which has been extended until the 31st of June 2021.
As the name suggests, the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ variant will feature the new 2.8-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder mill featured in the new Toyota Hilux range. As such, the power output figure is identical to the pick-up truck at 204 hp and 500 Nm, while all the new technical revisions including the increased fuel pressure and improved pre-EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) cooling system has also been brought over onto the Fortuner.
The 2.8 VRZ variant also comes with the Variable Flow Control (VFC) power steering system that was first introduced in the updated Toyota Hilux. The VFC system adjusts the torque usage of the power steering pump according to the speed of the vehicle, thus changing the steering assistance. The 2021 Fortuner also gains a new Sport mode which enhances the responsiveness of the steering.
Meanwhile, the 2.7 SRZ variant continues to be powered by the same 2.7 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol mill as the outgoing model, which makes 166 hp and 245 Nm. The 2.4 AT 4X4 variant also continues to be powered by the same 2.4-litre turbodiesel unit from the outgoing model line-up, which makes 148 hp and 400 Nm of torque.
All variants are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission mated to a part-time 4X4 system, though the 2.7 SRZ and 2.8 VRZ gains an additional automatic limited slip differential (LSD), which uses the brakes to stop any one of the rear wheels from spinning, increasing traction in the most difficult terrains.
Aside from the new powertrain, the other big-ticket item on the 2021 Toyota Fortuner update is the addition of the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Exclusive to the 2.8 VRZ variant, the TSS include Pre collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and Yaw Assist Function.
These systems are identical to that found on the new Toyota Hilux Rogue; the PCS works from speeds of 10 km/h up to 180 km/h, while the DRCC is available from 30 km/h and above. The Yaw Assist Function works as a lane departure prevention system, using the brakes on the inner wheels to steer the vehicle back to the lane.
Styling changes on the 2.7 SRZ variants are identical to those seen on the Thai-specification Toyota Fortuner. These include a new grille design flanked by redesigned bi-beam LED headlights with matching daytime-running lights, new bumpers, and a redesigned tail lamp cluster with a new light signature.
The 2.8 VRZ (pictured here) meanwhile, gains a completely new front fascia, as per the ‘Legender’ variant over at the land of smiles. Variant-exclusive touches for the range-topping 2021 Toyota Fortuner include a split grille design with a large gaping lower intake, sharper fog lamp housings, sharper headlights with a segmented daytime-running light signature, aerodynamic side mouldings, and a new rear bumper.
For further distinction, the roof, A-pillars, wing mirrors, and roof-mounted rear spoiler are finished in black on the 2.8 VRZ, though both the 2.8 VRZ and 2.7 SRZ will ride on newly-designed 18-inch wheels.
As for the interior, the dashboard design is pretty much entirely carried over from the outgoing Toyota Fortuner – the only obvious change inside is the new colours and designs for the seat upholstery and trimmings. On the 2.7 SRZ variant, the instrument cluster has been mildly redesigned, while the multi-info display has also been updated to provide more useful information to the driver.
Standard interior equipment across the range include automatic air-conditioning with rear vents, LED interior lamps, ambient lighting system, electrochromic rear-view mirror, and UMW Toyota’s Vehicle Telematics System (VTS).
The 2021 Toyota Fortuner is available in six exterior colours: Bronze Mica Metallic, Super White II, Medium Silver Metallic, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black Mica and Phantom Brown Metallic. On the 2.8 VRZ variant, the first two on the list are exclusively available with a black roof, which costs an additional RM1,500.
Each purchase of the new Toyota Fortuner will include a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. The 2021 Toyota Fortuner facelift is now available for booking at all authorised UMW Toyota Motor dealerships across Malaysia, and will be available in “early 2021”.
GALLERY
