Thailand: Next-gen Toyota Fortuner spied; debut on July 17

The next-generation Toyota Fortuner will be unveiled on July 17, 2015 in Thailand. The company has started shipping the vehicle to dealers in south east Asian country. New spy shot show the vehicle wrapped in a translucent cladding, loaded on a vehicle transporter.

The new Fortuner continues to uses a body on chassis construction. It gets a prominent front grille with horizontal chrome slats, wraparound headlamps, slim wraparound tail lamps with a chrome strip running between them, 18-inch alloy wheels and a roof-mounted rear spoiler. The pillars of the car have been blacked out to give a floating roof effect and there is a thin, black plastic cladding running over the wheel arches.

The interiors of the Fortuner are likely to be similar to those of the Hilux pick-up truck that was launched in Thailand earlier this year. The Fortuner is expected to be equipped with features such as a 7-inch infotainment system, automatic climate control, engine start/stop button with keyless entry, cruise control, new instrument cluster and multifunction display and a new multifunction steering wheel. The list of safety features is likely to include ABS + EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill-start Assist, Downhill Assist Control and 7 airbags.

To power the Fortuner, Toyota will use engines from the new GD family of engines that it introduced earlier this year. There are two engines in the GD family. The first one is a 2.4-litre, unit with a variable geometry turbo, capable of putting out 160 BHP and 400 Nm of torque, while the second one is a 2.8-litre, power plant with a variable geometry turbo, developing 177 BHP and 450 Nm of torque. These two engines will replace the current 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre engines respectively. The new engines will be coupled to 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The SUV will be available in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions.

The new Fortuner is likely to make its Indian debut at the 2016 Auto Expo in February, next year. It will compete with the upcoming Ford Endeavour and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

Source: MZ Crazy Cars