Toyota Fortuner facelift spotted testing in India ahead of expected early-2021 launch

Tuhin Guha Published: July 23, 2020, 11:31 AM IST

The Toyota Fortuner facelift was unveiled in the Thai market in early June, but Toyota has been quick to start preparations for its India launch. These uncamouflaged test mules of the Fortuner facelift have already been seen and could be undergoing tests to prepare them for Indian standards.

The Fortuner in question seems to be the regular update and not the top-spec Legender trim with its Lexus-derived styling. The SUV now features sleeker-looking projector LED headlamps with new DRLs, a new mesh-pattern grille, and a different bumper with deeper inserts. At the rear, the bumper has been chiselled down, while the taillamps now have a sleeker look to them. The interior has been revised too, the highlight being a new eight-inch infotainment system and revised instrumentation. There are seven airbags on offer too.

Another big change on the international-spec Fortuner is the updated 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine that churns out 204PS of power and 500 Nm torque. However, in India, we expect the seven-seater SUV to continue with its current BSVI range of engines. The Fortuner is available in India with a 2,755cc four-cylinder turbo-diesel motor which makes 177PS at 3,400 rpm and 420 Nm at 1,400 - 2,600 rpm with the six-speed manual. This increases to 450 Nm at 1,600 - 2,400 rpm with the automatic. The petrol engine is a 2,694 cc unit with 166PS at 5,200 rpm and 245 Nm at 4,000 rpm. This is paired with a five-speed manual and six-speed automatic.

When it launches we expect the updated Fortuner to carry a Rs 75,000 to Rs 1 lakh premium over the current car. The prices for the current Toyota Fortuner in India start from Rs 28.66 lakh for the 4x2 petrol-manual.

Spy image source: Gaadiwaadi