Toyota Fortuner: Now more tantalising

Source: motorpress.co.za

Source: motorpress.co.za

Now in its second generation, the seven-seat Fortuner continues to offer more luxury, more style and more features that will all sit well with aficionados of this SUV. It has the perfect blend of styling, versatility, off-road prowess and practicality.

Exterior styling

The characteristic profile of Fortuner has been retained but at the same time, the designers have accentuated and refreshed the façade. At the front is a larger, blacked-out grille with wave-like mesh pattern - gloss finish on VX- is accompanied by a silver-accented 'skid-plate' underrun for a tougher, more integrated look.

Re-profiled Bi-LED headlamps provide a sleeker look and these are further enhanced by prominent chrome accent strips that bridge the grille and headlamp assemblies.

Source: motorpress.co.za

The Bi-LED headlamps now feature striking scalloped DRL light guides and are joined by LED fog lamps and strip-like LED turn-signal elements in the lower bumper. A roof spoiler and Fortuner-emblazoned centre garnish to complete the rearview.

Interior styling

One of the key change points is the shift to a black interior in line with market requests. The previously employed brown-leather interior has been replaced by sophisticated black ‘hide’ with silver contrast stitching. A new instrument cluster design has been employed with metallic-blue dial faces, white needle pointers and a simple, elegant font – complementing the blue interior lighting. These are augmented by an expanded, centrally-mounted multi-information display.

Power and performance

The mechanicals has not been forgotten, as the output of the 2.8 GD-6 engine has been boosted by 20kW to 150kW, with an additional 50Nm on offer, bringing the figure to 500Nm. Toyota engineers have improved performance and fuel economy simultaneously by adopting a larger, heavy-duty turbocharger with a ball-bearing cartridge for exceptionally crisp and strong throttle response.

Fuel economy also benefits from a new combustion chamber and range from 6.8 to 7.9l per 100km - depending on engine and drivetrain configuration.

New generation Infotainment

An all-new 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality now calls Fortuner home. This allows users to mirror applications off their mobile phone – for seamless connectivity. Navigation applications such as Google Maps and Waze are included and occupants can also access their music libraries and streaming accounts. Wireless telephony is supported via Bluetooth.

Ride and handling

This was a virtual launch and I still have to put the Fortuner through its paces. But I am sure the SUV will not disappoint from a ride and handling point of view. Double-wishbone suspension at the front with a four-link arrangement in the rear – all using coil springs, will no doubt make the ride characteristically Fortuner.

My thoughts

An all-round refinement to one of SA’s favourite SUV’s serves to cement the Toyota Fortuner as a front-runner in the larger SUV space. There is a plethora of improvements and enhancements, most notably with the exterior styling and the black interior. Just these two revamps give the Fortuner a new look and feel.

Add to that the security upgrades, Toyota Connect, more power and more luxury and you have an SUV that I cannot wait to get into the cockpit and take it for a spin or three.

Model line-up and pricing

• Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB 6MT - R56,800
• Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB 6AT - R588,000
• Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 4X4 6AT - R616,700Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 RB 6AT - R700,100
• Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4X4 6AT - R770,400
• Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 RB VX 6AT - R720,200
• Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4X4 VX 6AT - R790,500

Warranty and maintenance

All Fortuner models come with a three-year/100,000km warranty. A nine-services/90,000km service plan is standard on all models - service intervals of 10, 000km or 12 months.