Toyota Fortuner Flex Fuel showcased, demonstrates new technology
Toyota Fortuner Flex Fuel was recently showcased at the 2023 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). The Japanese carmaker exhibits the new eco-friendly technology on the Fortuner, which is one of the most popular SUVs in our country.
The prototype is called Toyota Fortuner Flexy Fuel and is powered by a 2.7-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine. It is the same petrol unit which is currently being offered with the Fortuner in India. However, it is heavily modified to run on 100 percent bioethanol.
The Japanese carmaker has done some tweaks to the fuel system and ECU programming of this prototype as ethanol is more corrosive than petrol. This engine produces 163 BHP and 243 Nm of torque. This is very similar to the regular petrol powered engine, it is just 3 BHP and 2 Nm down relatively.
The engine in the prototype is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox driving the rear wheels. There is no 4×4 option in this Fortuner Flexy Fuel for now.
We believe flex fuel technology is more practical for the Indian market since EVs have limited range and high charging times and on top of that, a very weak infrastructure in our country at present.
Toyota is developing and testing this technology rigorously in India. By the time the Fortuner Flex Fuel goes into production, we believe they will introduce the new generation model. So you can expect the new generation Fortuner to come with this powertrain if at all it gets a green signal.
