Toyota Fortuner Facelift: Not just that, but the Indian SUV market is also up for a big rattle with the imminent introduction of the Toyota’s flagship model — The Fortuner Facelift.
Industry sources have indicated that the next model will take on a much bolder design language and further elevate what local car-lovers call its “dhakad” appeal.
This tactical facelift is designed to further consolidate Fortuner’s strong leadership in the high-end SUV segment with a bold design and host of new features as the cornerstone in new emerging customer needs.
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Toyota Fortuner Facelift Evolution of Design: Bigger And More Badass
Toyota Fortuner Facelift While it was evident right away, you’ll be quick to notice that the updated Fortuner has a more agressive-looking front fascia.
It sports a reimagined grille consisting of thick horizontal slats — finished in dark chrome — that stretch toward slimmer LED headlamps with unique LED daytime running light signatures.
Front: The Bumper: Newly designed bumper now has a relatively bigger air-intake, sharper creases and true C-shaped accents that accentuate the width of the car, surrounding the Advanced Fog lamp housings.
Profile updates consist of new alloy wheels with a two-tone machine-cut finish in 20-inch size on higher trims, that make the SUV look more grounded.
It does so with reworked character lines which subsequently cast stronger shadows over the body surfaces, and a wheel-arch cladding that has been given a textured finish for a more off-roading look.
At the back, connected taillamps featuring a sequential turn indicators offer a high-quality light signature across the tailgate.
The rear bumper has been restyled to include large false skid plates and vertically placed reflectors, that add to the more aggressive look.
Such combined design tweaks adapt the iconic appearance of the Fortuner, but with visibly more modern and aggressive appeal.
The Evening Cabin: Upgraded to Comfort and Durability
The updated Fortuner’s cabin blends high-quality elements with better technology for a space that combines luxury with the toughness that you would expect in a competent off-roader.
The dashboard sees a major redesigned, with a floating touchscreen infotainment that’s grown from 8 inches a, humongous, 10.1-inch with better resolution and processing power now.
The instrument cluster also has added a larger 7-inch digital information display with multiple configuration options, and development says the digital and physical gauges should be easier to read in bright sunlight.
Seat upholstery choices range to ventilated leathers in a diamond-quilt pattern for top-grade versions, and the second and third rows get enhanced cushioning and recline functionality for greater long-haul comfort.
There’s also ambient cabin lighting added, with selectable colors, that visually accenutate the cabin design during night driving.
Climate control not available in “G” badge now comes with AQI display to check air quality of the air being let inside from the outside, given the rising levels of air pollution across Indian cities.
MateriaI quality has been significantly upgraded, with real-wood inserts supplanting the former imitation plastic stuff, and brushed aluminum trim brightening up the door panels and center console for a modern touch.
The general feel you get inside is pitched about right, with a sense of high quality that gives the appearance of durability, all of which of course is a reflection on the Golf’s multifacted role in life.
Performance Upgrades Even more performance to match Even with 305 horsepower, the 3.5L V6 engine in the Lincoln MKZ is still efficient and remarkably powerful.
Exterior Full-size SUV look The Fortuner greets the onlooker with an imposing new design. The redesigned headlamps provide increased style – projector with line guide in G at variant and Bi-Beam LED in V at grade – whilst the higher-end variant boasts with upper and lower thick grille with bold chrome make the Fortuner unmistakably powerful.
There’s also a power bump in the 2.8-liter diesel engine which now makes 204 bhp (from 177 bhp) and 500 Nm of torque for the automatic transmission versions.
This upgrade provides more highway passing power and extra low-end gear for off-road use.
Transmission choices remain the 6-speed manual and the 6-speed automatic, but the automatic now gets some updates designed to make it shift a bit more smoothly while boosting fuel economy.
The four-wheel drive system has been revised with better electronic control that optimises the torque delivery between axles that translates into more off-road ability and more secure handling in poor weather.
One major new feature is the inclusion of the Mult-iTerrain Select system, which optimizes the vehicle to adjust throttle response, transmission behavior and traction control intervention based on the terrain it’s on.
This system is controlled via rotary dial located on the center dashboard console, and helps to demystify the tremendous capability of the Fortuner for drivers of different experience levels.
Incorporate Technology: Everything at Your Fingertips
Knowing that consumers want connected features, Toyota has provided the facelifted Fortuner with the new-generation touchscreen infotainment system that offers wireless connectivity for smartphone mirroring functions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The system includes vehicle connectivity technology allowing for monitoring the cars status, geofencing alerts, scheduling maintenance, and access to the car via a smartphone app.
The JBL premium audio system has been redesigned with more speakers and added amplification, providing the highest quality sound in all corners of the cabin.
The cooling device wireless charging function allows the device to prevent it from getting all tangled up when the passengers are traveling for hours on end, with multiple USB-C ports available in every row, everyone on board can use the best way to power their devices.
Safety For safety tech Toyota Safety Sense falls under the tenet of protection including adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitor as is typical with this price point.
Such credentials, only previously offered on top-end Toyota models, provide a substantial benefit for Fortuner and delivers more safety and security.
Toyota Fortuner Facelift Market Positioning and Impact to Expect
Toyota Fortuner Facelift The updated Fortuner makes sense as it will help Toyota consolidate its position in the hotly contested premium SUV space, where competition has intensified with established players and new ones.
The improved design and visibility; the better powertrain; and the more sophisticated technology all add up to an assault on places where rivals were beginning to edge ahead.
Analysts in the industry believe that the updated version is likely to enhance the Fortuner’s attractiveness within its target client segment of successful entrepreneurs, senior management executives and wealthy families who are looking for a vehicle that commands respect, but at the same time offers real substance.
The more dominating look should especially find connect in smaller towns and semi-urban towns where the Fortuner has been a strong brand in recent times.
Having addressed most of the outgoing model’s shortcomings and the facelift being based on what has been working for the Fortuner, Toyota seems well poised to continue the sales momentum and the Fortuner’s standing as the aspirational premium SUV in the Indian market.
Other than the more ‘dhakad’ look, it simply brings to the fore the competence and dependability which has kept the Fortuner ahead of the pack despite brand new rivals joining in.
