Our longstanding reader Arjun Shrie who sent us images of the Chevrolet Trailblazer from the Dubai Motor Show is back with photographs of the Toyota Fortuner and Innova facelifts clicked at the same venue. Based on the IMV Platform, both vehicles camouflaged with tapes have been spotted testing in Bangalore over the last month.
With Thailand still recovering from recent floods, we’re not sure if Toyota can introduce the facelift as they have to deal with component shortage.
The 2012 model Innova and Fortuner carry changes that are purely cosmetic.
The Toyota Fortuner facelift, shown at the Indonesian Motor Show earlier in the year reached dealerships in the SUV-loving country of Oman. The 2012 Fortuner is a cosmetic upgrade featuring chrome radiator grill, cylindrical-shaped projector lamp, rear license plate garnish and black wood grain paneling in the cabin.
The facelift provides Fortuner familiarity to other siblings in the SUV range. The Prado and Land Cruiser are also sold in India. Whether it is petrol or diesel, Toyota has not made changes to any mechanicals.
Three variants of the Fortuner are available with two petrol engines – 2.7-liter Premium, 4.0-liter Exclusive, and 4.0- liter Grand. The larger motor packs a V6 with 24 variably-operating valves. Both mills are mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission.
See spyshots of the Toyota Fortuner Facelift from Delhi
Toyota is yet to determine the extent of damage the Thai floods have caused to its vendors and production line. TKM imports kits for Fortuner from Thailand which then are assembled at the Bidadi plant in Karnataka. Will the floods delay the introduction of the facelift in India?
Toyota is showing the new Fortuner on its official website for Thailand. As said by one TKM official, changes are mainly cosmetic. Since the website works using Flash, we can’t run the translator to understand every detail. The features listed out is based on comparing new Fortuner’s images with the vehicle sold in India.
New Toyota Fortuner front-end changes
- Chrome slabs replace the brushed aluminium radiator grille
- Fog lamp size has not changed but position and housing is different
- Scuff plate lowered to under the bumper
- Bonnet scoop features three vertical pillars instead of the current two
- Pacman-type headlamp substituted by a Prado-style design
- Taller and wider headlights feature washers, which is absent in the Indian Fortuner
- Bumper now C-shaped and hugs the body closer
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Brazilian blogs are carrying images of the Toyota Fortuner facelift that will be introduced in certain parts of South East Asia this year. The Fortuner facelift might not come to India in 2011 as TKM is still in discussion with TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation) on the Indian launch date.
TMC launches products in a phased manner, they will go from one country to another with this new model starting with Indonesia or Thailand.
The Fortuner is witnessing the same kind of demand even two years after its introduction. The Indian subsidiary can afford to take its time in deciding when to introduce the new model. Changes will be cosmetic with no major feature addition. We hope to see the Fortuner facelift during the first quarter of 2012.
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TKM is discussing with its Japanese headquarters to finalize the time frame and configuration of the facelifted editions of IMV platform derivatives Innova and Fortuner it was revealed to Indian Autos Blog yesterday.
Mr Sandeep Singh, DMD of Toyota Kirloskar Motor -
As of now there is no need (for Innova and Fortuner facelift) as both the products are doing well. We are in discussion with TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation) for when we can get those cars. TMC launches products in phased manner. If you see today, Innova and Fortuner are doing very well we will introduce them (facelifts) at the right time because changes are not big in terms of features. Changes are only cosmetic.
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Another spy shot of the new Fortuner has been leaked on the internet revealing new details. The rear will have Fortuner embossed on the chrome face plate right above the number plate similar to the Maruti Wagon R K10 and V-shaped tail lamps will also feature.
The changes on the new Fortuner will purely be cosmetic, according to sources.
We have already shown you the front view of the refreshed model that mimics the bigger Prado and Land Cruiser with the chrome grille and 3D headlamps.
TKM’s management told Indian Autos Blog that there were no immediate plans for Fortuner facelift as the product is doing well. One has to be very optimistic to see the facelift arriving in India this year. The festive season is a great time to pull out the new model, but given that Fortuner still demands a waiting period means Toyota can take its time in deciding the launch time frame.
An Auto Expo entry is another possibility as the playing field will be crowded with Honda CR-V, Renault Koleos, Audi Q3 and new Chevrolet Captiva within the next 12 months.
What do you think has to improve on the new Fortuner?
After miserable attempts of tapping the SUV market through the Tuscon and the Terracan, the Santa Fe has finally clicked for Hyundai as a SUV product. However, the company has still not managed to harness the potential of the SUV because it is brought to India in CBU form which results in a huge price tag.
However, Hyundai India plans to set things right by opting in for CKD operations for the Santa Fe. According to The HinduBusinessLine, the Santa Fe is currently undergoing homologation duties at ARAI. Such type of testing is generally done a few months before local assembly starts.
When asked about the recent development, Mr Arvind Saxena, Director, Marketing and Sales, Hyundai Motor India said,
Starting CKD operations for the Santa Fe is part of our plan. Typically, we would wait for volumes to touch at least 150 units a month for it to make sense economically. At present, we are doing about 100 units a month.
By opting in for CKD operations, the Santa Fe could get considerably cheaper as CKD attracts less taxes.
The company also said that it will start a fresh round of bookings for the Santa Fe in June and this time it plans to sell 1,400 units in the current year.
Will the reduction in price tag make the Santa Fe more attractive buy vis-à-vis the current favorite Toyota Fortuner
Moving forward for the auto industry is launching new products, making announcements, inking agreements, developing new technologies, etc. Toyota’ global operations was impacted by Tsunami and earthquake in Japan. The production line in India suffered severely from components shortage. Toyota postponed the Altis facelift launch and production of other models was reduced to alarmingly low levels.
It’s not like Toyota needs to catch up in the utility vehicles segment. The Innova is the Indian family’ most preferred MPV. The Toyota Fortuner is ahead of all other SUVs in town with the BMW X1 being the only real threat to its supremacy.
Yesterday we brought you spy pics of the Innova facelift. Today we have images of the Fortuner facelift expected to make an appearance at the IIMS in Indonesia next month. The cosmetic overhaul puts the Fortuner in line with the Land Cruiser Prado and Land Cruiser 200, the other two SUVs in its portfolio.
Changes are not expected under the Fortuner’s bonnet. Will Toyota introduce the Fortuner facelift in India at the Auto Expo next year?
These images were sent in by IAB reader and Toyota fan Rahul Rajeev.
