Fortuner to rule the SUV market again

There are few to match the prestige of Fortuner and the allnew SUV from Toyota running into its second generation takes the competitioneven a notch higher for any potential suitors.

Toyota has tweaked the new one well. Made it a lot moresensible by adding ventilated discs brakes across all-four wheels for surerstopping of the mighty beast. Also 7 SRS airbags have been added as a standardacross all grades. Priced competitively, starts at Rs 25,92,000, Fortuner nowcomes with  fresh 2.7 litre  petrol engine mated to 6-speed automatic& 5-speed manual transmission.

Toyota has retained the regular diesel with a compacter 2.8litre engine that is now available with new 6-speed automatic and manualtransmissions. The earlier avatar had a 3.0 litre diesel and did not have thenewly adopted Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) & Downhill Assist Control(DAC) making Fortuner an accomplished vehicle for both weekend getaways anddaily commute.

 "We have addednew features keeping in view the advance electronic and systems to makeFortuner a more capable SUV and consolidate its leadership position beyond its75 per cent share it enjoyed in the segment. An improved response should helpus improvise our annual sales beyond the 16,500 units of the currentgeneration," says N. Raja, Director & Senior Vice President (Sales& Marketing), Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

Toyota has worked diligently on the 2nd generation Fortuner.Loaded it with fresh design, comfort, performance, and increasing the fuelefficiency of this versatile vehicle. The fresh design cues has added ancompelling preposition of an advanced, modern SUV while the its engineeringteam has equipped most advanced all-terrain capabilities to make it's the bestoff-roader retailed in India.

The all new Fortuner gives reassuring performance of 177 PSand 450 Nm torque for the 2.8 litre 6 speed automatic transmission. The refinedpetrol generates 166 PS of power.

Hiroki Nakajima- Toyota Managing Officer, incharge for theFortuner SUV project, who flew especially down to Delhi for the launch, saidthat he wanted to recreate a contemporary design with ample space and amenitiesfor all passengers, without compromising its off-road capabilities. "Weenhanced its 4WD capability and performance. It drives across all terrainseffortlessly and will satisfy even the most demanding customer. In the newFortuner, customers' will find value and prestige that goes beyond their expectations,"Nakajima said in New Delhi.

Toyota has launched Fortuner in 2009 with the aim of sellingaround 400 vehicles per month. Remember these were times when a total of 500units were sold in the Rs 20 lakh SUV segment. It doubled the market and sellsmore than 1500 units-a-month in the last go. Most like the Honda CR-V orMahindra Rexton virtually faded into oblivion. The new Fortuner will only takeit further.

Infographics: Toyota Fortuner price start at Rs. 25.92lakh-Rs. 31.12 lakh, (ex-showroom Delhi);

Toyota Fortuner 2.7 4x2 petrol manual: Rs. 25.92 lakh

Toyota Fortuner 2.7 4x2 petrol automatic: Rs. 27.61 lakh

Toyota Fortuner 2.8 4x2 diesel manual: Rs. 27.52 lakh

Toyota Fortuner 2.8 4x2 diesel automatic: Rs. 29.14 lakh

Toyota Fortuner 2.8 4x4 diesel manual: Rs. 30.05 lakh

Toyota Fortuner 2.8. 4x4 diesel automatic: Rs. 31.12 lakh.