New Toyota Fortuner Launching Soon With New Engine Variant

The new Toyota Fortuner will be launching soon and UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd has announced that all authorised Toyota showrooms will be accepting bookings. The locally assembled Toyota Fortuner is expected to be available in early 2021.

The Toyota Fortuner 4×4 SUV will come in two variants priced at:

• Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ 4×4 A/T – RM203,183
• Toyota Fortuner 2.7 SRZ 4×4 A/T – RM172,244

The Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ 4×4 A/T is a new variant that will replace the Fortuner 2.4 VRZ.

Exterior

The new Fortuner 2.8 VRZ comes with Quad LED headlamps with a new housing design, and a mesh-type front grille. The fog lamp, turn signal and position lamps have also been restyled, as are the front and rear bumpers. There also are the corner mouldings shaped to provide aerodynamic benefits for this large SUV.

Meanwhile, the Fortuner 2.7 SRZ gets Bi-Beam LED headlamps with a new sharper design along with the revised front grille and front bumper. Both the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ and 2.7 SRZ variants are also fitted with 18″ alloy wheels with a new design.

Making the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ more distinctive are the roof, A-pillars, wing mirrors and roof-mounted rear spoiler finished in black. A new body colour, i.e. Bronze Mica Metallic, comes with the Black Roof that is  exclusive to this flagship variant. The Black Roof is also available with the Super White II exterior colour only for the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ. The other four exterior colours are Medium Silver Metallic, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black Mica and Phantom Brown Metallic.

The Fortuner 2.7 SRZ also has the new Bronze Mica Metallic as well as five other exterior colours i.e. Super White II, Medium Silver Metallic, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black Mica and Phantom Brown Metallic; but with no Black Roof option.

Interior

The Fortuner 2.8 VRZ interior is dressed with a new design and colour while the three rows of seats also receive new upholstery colour and design. Ambient illumination provides a classier cabin. The instrument panel is also new and features a revised Multi Information Display (MID) opening animation, while the key cover is also redesigned.

For the Fortuner 2.7 SRZ, the instrument panel has been redesigned for enhanced usefulness, with the MID providing additional data. This variant also gets a new interior trim colour and new seat upholstery colour to freshen up the cabin appearance.

For added comfort and convenience, the new Fortuner 2.8 VRZ and 2.7 SRZ are fitted with LED Interior Lamps, and Electrochromic Rearview Mirror to eliminate dazzle. The front passenger can also now easily adjust the seat with powered controls at the side.

Performance

The proven Toyota powertrains are maintained with the availability of the new 1GD-FTV 4-cylinder common rail diesel engine with heavy-duty variable nozzle turbocharger and Intercooler. The new 2.8L engine produces 204 PS @ 3,400 rpm and 500 Nm of torque @ 1,600 – 2,800 rpm.

It has been engineered with an optimised structure for the cylinder block and head gasket, and incorporates a balance shaft to reduce vibrations and noise levels. Higher efficiency is achieved with the electronically-controlled common rail injection system that can deliver fuel at a maximum pressure of up to 250 MPa. The oil pump is capable of two stage operation for optimal pressure delivery, while a water-cooled double-pipe type pre-EGR cooler helps to keep the recirculated exhaust gas temperature at optimum.

The Fortuner 2.8 VRZ also comes with a Variable Flow Control (VFC) power steering to help improve fuel economy by reducing the power steering pump consumption torque. This is achieved by having a standby mode (low assist) when the vehicle is not being steered. Like other power steering systems, the amount of assistance varies according to the speed. It is greater at low speeds (e.g. when parking) to make steering easier and becomes less at higher speeds to give a firmer feel.

Toyota engineers have enhanced the steering feeling to achieve natural handling that matches the speed. For the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ, there is also a SPORT mode which enhances the steering wheel for responsiveness. Furhter, the part-time 4×4 drivetrain provides maximum traction capability on all surfaces. With the 4×4 engaged, all four wheels constantly get power to give better stability and grip in all conditions, thus increasing safety.

The drivetrain of the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ and 2.7 SRZ has an Auto Limited Slip Differential (LSD). This device is very useful in the most difficult conditions and uses the traction control system to control braking when one of the rear wheels start to spin. It allows engine power to be maintained with power directed to the wheel with the better traction.

Toyota Safety Sense

The new Fortuner comes with comprehensive safety equipment to help the driver avoid an accident, as well as a structural design that can reduce injuries during accidents. In line with Toyota’s efforts to reduce road accidents, the 2.8 VRZ also comes with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS).

This is an integrated suite of active safety systems which makes use of a camera and radar to monitor and detect other vehicles, and to take appropriate action to prevent an accident. The Fortuner’s TSS suite includes Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and Yaw Assist Function.

PCS operates in all lighting conditions at speeds from 10 km/h to 180 km/h. The system detects other vehicles ahead with the millimetre-wave radar sensor in the grille and analyses the imagery captured by the camera on the top of the windscreen. When a vehicle is detected in close range, warnings are given and the system will provide additional braking assistance when action is taken by the driver. If the driver does not act and a collision is likely to occur, automatic braking will commence at full pressure to stop the car. In many cases, an accident can be prevented but if it cannot, the early braking will reduce the vehicle speed and help to reduce damage from the impact.

LDA is useful in preventing accidents when a driver may be drowsy or lose concentration and the vehicle starts to stray from the lane. When the system detects this happening (e.g. moving out of the lane or crossing over an uncurbed road edge without activating the turn signal), the driver will be alerted through the MID by a blinking indicator lamp and buzzer sound.

Unlike the TSS in passenger vehicles, the system in the Fortuner (as well as Hilux) has a Yaw Assist Function. This activates when lane departure is detected and additional braking force applied to the inner wheels to direct the vehicle back into the proper lane position.

Meanwhile, DRCC is a more advanced type of cruise control which ensures that there is a safe gap with the vehicle ahead. The system is available from 30 km/h and will adjust the set cruising speed when another vehicle is detected ahead, and maintain the lower speed until the vehicle is no longer there. Then the speed will gradually be increased to what was set by the driver. As with all cruise control systems, pressing the brake pedal will immediately deactivate the system or the driver can press a switch on the steering wheel.

Warranty

The Toyota Fortuner comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty (subject to conditions stated in the Owner’s Handbook). And just like with all models distributed by UMW Toyota Motor, aftersales support is readily available throughout the country.