Leaks from a presentation made by the Japanese carmaker for its dealers in Thailand give a peek-aboo of how the next generation, India bound 2016 Toyota Fortuner will look like.
The next generation models of the Innova, Fortuner and Hilux will be partly based on the newly developed Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), analogous to Volkswagen’s highly flexible MQB architecture. Apropos to being a proper, old-school SUV, Toyota will also continue with a new ladder frame chassis which would be lighter and stiffer than the outgoing version and should make for better off-road prowess.
The 2016 Toyota Fortuner model will receive new interiors and the usual 5-speed manual and automatic transmissions with two-wheel and four-wheel drive options. New engines might be in the offing too. In India, the current Fortuner is available with either 3.0-liter (171 hp/343 Nm) or 2.5-liter (144 hp/343 Nm) D-4D diesel engines.
Toyota is expected to launch the new Fortuner in select South East Asian markets this year, while an Indian unveiling is expected only next year (2016). In India, it will compete with the Hyundai Santa Fe, the new Ford Endeavour, and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. Reports suggest that it could retail from anywhere between 20-25 lakh INR(ex-showroom).