The Fortuner will be sharing its underpinnings with the new generation Hilux pickup and also gets influenced with several design traits from the model.
We can all agree that the current generation Toyota Fortuner is a good looking SUV. Sure it has some reservations, but it still has key styling attributes like the imposing front fascia, massive proportions and minimalistic lines, all of which help keep the model relevant in the market and also very popular six years after it was first launched in India. With the next generation Fortuner scheduled to arrive early next year, speculations are rife as to how exactly will the new version pan out and in a bid to answer some of these questions, our reader Sidharth Vohra has rendered his iteration of the all new Toyota Fortuner.
The rendering brings together several elements from Toyota’s current design language on the 2016 Fortuner. The premium SUV is essentially a derivative of the Hilux pickup and rightfully so, the rendering shares several traits with the 2016 Hilux that was launched in South East Asia last month. Starting with the front fascia, the three-slat chrome grille looks chunky and rests above the trapezoidal air intake on the bumper that is flanked by large fog lamps. The chrome slats on the grille merge into the large headlight cluster, which will feature projector lamps and LED DRLs on the production model.
The side profile is expected to maintain its large proportions like the outgoing Fortuner, whereas the rear will have the quarter-glass shape changed for better styling cues. Other upgrades will include a redesigned tailgate, new alloy wheels and marginally larger dimensions over the existing model. On the inside, the 2016 Fortuner will see some much needed upgrades including a new touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry, push button start and a host of safety features including ABS, EBD, VSC, Hill Start Assist among others.
Based on the new TNGA platform, the 2016 Toyota Fortuner will go on sale early next year possibly after the showcase at the Auto Expo in February. Power will come from the newly developed 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that will replace the current 3.0-litre unit and is said to produce 177 HP and 420 Nm of torque on the Hilux. Expect similar numbers on the Fortuner as well with power being sent to all four wheels via the 6-speed manual and automatic transmission options. In addition to the changes, the 2016 Fortuner will also see an escalation in prices and is expected to touch the Rs. 30 lakh mark (ex-showroom).
