Toyota Fortuner Facelift Spied Testing In India For the First Time Ever

The new Toyota Fortuner has recently been introduced in Australia and Thailand. Besides the facelift, the Japanese automaker has also launched a new top-spec Legender variant. Recently, the facelifted Fortuner has been spied testing on Indian roads with minimal camouflage, which indicates that it is slated for launch in the foreseeable future, perhaps during the festive season, before Diwali. The test mule suggests that the India-spec Fortuner will bear a strong resemblance to the Thai-spec one. The spied model was bringing an emission testing kit and has no camouflage apart from the gaffer tape which hides the Fortuner badge on the tailgate.

The Toyota Fortuner facelift has been spied testing in India for the first time with minimal camouflage.

The Fortuner facelift will experience considerable styling updates, the majority of which is in the front. In the front, a wider mesh pattern grille, redesigned LED headlights with LED DRLs, new fog light enclosures and a reshaped front bumper with new silver skid plate are available. The 2020 Fortuner runs on a set of 18-inch alloy rims. Some of the other outstanding exterior features of the new SUV include chromed elements on the door handles and window line, black pillars, wing mirrors, wheel arch cladding, roof-integrated spoiler and sleeker taillights.

Like the Thai-spec model, the India-spec one is expected to be replete with a wide array of features which include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity with a 9-inch unit on the new top-spec Legender variant. The SUV also comes with an upgraded instrument 8-way powered driver and co-driver’s seat, LED ambient lighting, wireless charging, etc. The safety features on the Legender include seven airbags, etc.

The new international-spec Fortuner is powered by an updated 2.8-litre turbo oil burner which can deliver 204 PS against 500 Nm. Nevertheless, the India-bound model is likely to continue to receive its power from the current BSVI motors: a petrol motor and a diesel unit. While the former is a 2.7-litre unit with 166 PS against 245 Nm, the latter is a 2.8-litre 4-cyl turbo oil burner with 177 PS against 420 Nm when mated to a 6-speed MT and 177 PS against 420 Nm when paired with an MT unit.

The new Fortuner will receive considerable alterations as regards exterior design.

Once launched in India, the upgraded Toyota Fortuner is expected to be more expensive than the current model by INR 75,000 - INR 1 lakh. The India-spec Fortuner is currently priced in the range from INR 28.66 lakh to INR 34.43 lakh (ex-showroom).