Toyota Fortuner: The king of Indian roads, Toyota Fortuner, in a new form. Toyota Fortuner is known for its strong road presence in India. Along with being the favourite vehicle of politicians, it also rules the hearts of common people. But, is its new avatar going to come now? Let’s know what the rumours say and what are the possibilities.
Fortuner
Toyota Fortuner has made a distinct identity for itself in the Indian market. Due to its reliability and strong looks, this SUV is at the forefront of its segment. The current second-gen Fortuner was launched in India in 2016, and its mid-cycle facelift came in 2021.
New Generation Toyota Fortuner
The third-gen model of Toyota Fortuner has been in discussion for a long time. However, no official information has been revealed about this yet. Some time back, there were reports that Toyota will use 48V mild-hybrid technology with the 2.8-litre diesel engine, which will reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
Now, as per new reports, Toyota might introduce a new turbocharged petrol engine that will have a hybrid setup. This 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit was showcased by Toyota in May this year along with two other new generation petrol powertrains. As per international media reports, the new generation motors are capable of running on both fossil fuels (petrol and diesel) and carbon-neutral fuels, including liquid hydrogen, synthetic fuel, and biofuel (ethanol).
This 2.0-litre petrol unit will be available in three states of tuning – the lowest for regular road-going cars, the highest for mid-level performance cars, and the highest for motorsports in Toyota’s GR Sport range. Even in the lowest state, this 2.0-litre turbo petrol motor produces 300 horsepower and 400 Nm of peak torque. This is much higher than the 164 bhp and 245 Nm produced by the current 2.7-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit.
While it is unlikely that Toyota will get rid of the 2.8-litre diesel unit so easily, the new generation motors being compatible with different types of fuel will help Toyota gradually phase out the oil burner in some markets in the future. Globally, this motor will replace Toyota’s 2.4-litre turbo petrol unit. Comparatively, the new 2.0-litre petrol unit is not only 10% smaller than the outgoing model but is also up to 30% more energy efficient.
Also, the downsizing will help Toyota reduce the weight of the engine and the car. Apart from the Fortuner, this new motor is also expected to power its platform sibling—the Hilux. The global debut of the new generation Fortuner is expected in late 2025, while the India launch is possible in 2026.
When will the new Fortuner arrive
The launch of the new generation Fortuner is still awaited. It is estimated that it may launch in India in 2026. But, we will have to wait for the official announcement from Toyota. Till then, we can only discuss these rumours and possibilities.