New Fortuner: Roomier and more appealing with better performance
TOYOTA'S LATEST PPV FEATURES A HOST OF IMPROVEMENTS - ESPECIALLY IN DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE - OVER ITS PREDECESSOR, AND THOUGH IT MIGHT HAVE A DRAWBACK OR TWO, IT IS CAPABLE OF CHALLENGING MORE EXPENSIVE LUXURY SUVs
The navigation system has been well-developed, with nice graphics and functions. And in my opinion, one of the best things that Toyota has done with its electronics is to offer Thai language in the vehicle settings menu. There’s a lot of Thai customers who don’t read English and this will help them to correctly set up their vehicles.
The Fortuner is available with a very large choice of engines, both old and new. The model I drove came with the latest 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel capable of pumping out 177 horsepower and 450Nm, a big improvement over the old 3.0-litre engine with just 163hp and 343Nm. Transmission is now a 6-speed auto compared to the dull 4-speed auto in the previous model.
Performance-wise you will easily feel the improvement, with the large and flat torque giving the Fortuner great flexibility and overtaking. This is a new- generation Toyota engine with automatic stop-start function and variable nozzle turbocharger, but a good amount of engine noise still enters the cabin.
All new Fortuners come with 18inch alloy wheels (it would look funny with smaller wheels due to the mammoth size of the thing) with 265/60 tyres that hint about its off-road capability.
The Fortuner comes with the Sigma4 4WD system offering twowheel-drive, four-wheel drive high and four-wheel drive low, plus various electronic driver assistance systems including HAC (Hill-start Assist Control) and DAC (Downhill Assist Cotrol) and A-TRC (Active Traction Control). It also comes with TSC (Trailer Sway Control) that adjusts suitable brake pressure and engine output when driving with a trailer and experiencing strong cross winds.
Despite being based on a pickup platform, the Fortuner gets suspension improvements to improve ride comfort. The front double wishbone and rear 4-link suspension both come with stabilisers as well.
The multi- function steering wheel, which looks like it has been taken from a sports car, provides a beefy feel and is more communicative than the outgoing model’s.
While the first- gen Fortuner was heavily criticised for its poor braking performance, Toyota has made sure the mistake is not repeated. The front disc and rear drum set-up, with ABS ( Anti- lock Braking System), BA (Brake Assist) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), may not match a 4-way disc set-up in terms of stopping performance, but there are cost and durability benefits.
While the new Fortuner has what it takes to remain as the most popular PPV in the market, the retail pricing has also gone up dramatically. You can’t get one with Bt1 million in your purse these days, and the starting price is Bt1.199 million for the 2.4G 2WD manual, peaking at Bt1.599 million for the flagship 2.8V 4WD automatic featured here. Competition is also stronger than ever, with the new Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport winning large numbers of customers.
