VIDEO: All-new Toyota Fortuner – Design Improvements
Executive chief engineer for the recently-launched Toyota Fortuner, Hiroki Nakajima tells the tale of what went into the making of the Japanese automaker’s body-on-frame SUV.
Nakajima notes that customers mentioned that considering the SUV’s higher equipment levels and consequently higher prices relative to the Hilux pick-up truck, the Fortuner’s styling was perhaps too similar to that of the Hilux.
To take care of that, Toyota decided to give the Fortuner its own unique front fascia while maintaining the same parts commonisation ratio as the previous models’, said Nakajima.
Despite utilising the same hood panels, front pillar area, windscreen glass and front doors as the new Hilux, the designers have managed to give the Fortuner a different frontal look, he adds. “We also needed to improve the “cool” factor of the SUV. Our design concept was mainly “tough” and “cool”,” Nakajima says.
The chief engineer says that a “tough” look is important for portraying off-road ability, while at the same time maintaining the “cool” factor as most customers use the vehicle on the road. The Fortuner’s visual belt line, for example, is an artistic device used to enhance the “cool” part of its image.
VIDEO: All-new Toyota Fortuner – Interior
Moving towards the vehicle’s interior, Nakajima recaps that the previous Fortuner/Hilux iteration shared a common instrument panel, which made them appear similar from the driver’s point of view. He goes on to elaborate that while the instrument panel’s structure for the Fortuner and Hilux is the same, the designers have given them each a different look.
Particularly for the enhancement of the Fortuner’s premium image, Toyota drew inspiration from their own Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser Prado heritage, as a means of differentiating the Fortuner from competing, premium body-on-frame SUV rivals.
“We utilised a larger cross-section compared to the previous model, so with this, we can achieve a higher safety standard, particularly for frontal impact,” Nakajima says. The Fortuner includes up to seven airbags, like on the Hilux pick-up truck. “The important thing is to address the passenger injury criteria, and with all these, we achieved the highest score in the NCAP rating,” he adds.
VIDEO: All-new Toyota Fortuner – Drivetrain
Fuel efficiency was admittedly a great challenge to deal with for the latest Hilux and Fortuner duo, according to Nakajima, to which end the new petrol and diesel engines help achieve a 10% improvement in fuel economy. He also said that both petrol and diesel engines for the Fortuner have been quietened, which makes it “easier for the customers to recognise the higher performance and better fuel economy,” he says.
Suspension-wise, the Hilux and Fortuner carries over the leaf springs and the independent link system coencepts respectively, however the setup is completely new for the Fortuner, says Nakajima. “For example, the diameter of the absorbers have been dramatically increased to reduce noise and vibration.” These translate into improved ride comfort and reduced cabin noise, Nakajima says in closing.
GALLERY: 2016 Toyota Fortuner
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Cue John and his endless repeating rants
Is he the guy that somehow knows how to type some form of rudimentary English, but fail to spell ‘Japanese’
wow… hes in a good mood on this article.
hes usually like a scratched CD that skips… saying the same old thing again and again.
Fortuner got hard second row seating.
Not really suitable for long on road journey
Shud just straight ask him where did he get inspiration for that godawful brown interior, something from a cow rear hole kah?
Toyota did follow paultan. We all had complaints about the body over frame set up. And low level of NVH. And how the fortuner costs almost double than hilux but looking all the same. Toyota is just brilliant. Now with up to 7 airbags also. 2 thumbs up for listening.
Obviously u r either ignorant or a diehard toyol-fan. Look what you u actually get buying the slightly cheaper but still expensive diesel version: https://toyota.com.my/vehicles/suv-4wd/fortuner#pricespecs
Anyone ask why the rear drum brakes?
The Fortuner 2.4 costs 190k but has much poorer equipment and safety suite than the 130k Hilux. Where is the explanation for that?
Tax
I followed one the other day and thought it was as tricking car, certainly from the front. More James Kirk and less James May.
The pricing is really exorbitant, until I realize, you can’t get a proper off-roasting 4×4 SUV that seat 7 in relative comfort, unless you opt for the even more expensive Everest, and I like the Toyota’s interior more. Thou look to the Koreans if you just want a SUV that can seat seven.
If u need to off-roasting 7 pipu, I feels sori for thems. Must be hot
the Fortuner and the Everest and MU-X will get you places. exotic places that most people wont ever get to. they do cost a pretty penny
the korean SUVs are softroaders though. gets to most places, just not the extreme ones.
i wonder if the front end is fully swappable with the hilux front end. some people might like that.
The Everest sell by SDAC in its based form (199k) even omitted the 4WD and its slip differential, meaning that they had took out the most prized feature in an Everest – its off road capability.
Why the heck anyone wants an Everest that can’t go off road? What are those Sime Darby fellars thinking in their mind? If I want to seat seven in comfort in an SUV body, like you’ve said, I can always go for the Korean, or even a CRV/X-trail/CX-5 can do me justice, and these Japanese trio undercut the based Everest by almost 50k.
The Titanium Everest, which is equipped with all the bells and whistles, is asking for 260k, insane, truly insane. So back to reality, guess the Fortuner is the better choice through official channel. But if one don’t mind grey import, there’s the mighty Prado.
Fortuner 2.4 also don’t have differential. Only 2.7 petrol have that. Who on earth want to go offroading with grossly underpowered 2.7 petrol? Mind you this is 2100kg behemoth.
Which is why I have not seen a single Everest on the road.
Isuzu MUX got la… Good value
Ugly as hell.
wtf…brown seats?
Maybe UMW think orang Malaysia is stupid, can accept lo…
The engine is such a mess…….
I pity the mechanic guy when the car goes to the workshop with engine problem.
I am not a off-road kind of person, BUT if i am to buy a Large SUV, i will choose the current Kia Sorento instead of this overly expensive Fortuner.
No hard feelings to Toyota, but i have a problem with UMW. While Fortuner’s safety spec is commendable, and equal to Kia Sorento, but i find it hard to stomach the extra RM 30k difference.
Less boot space, 18 inch rims (Kia 19 inch), and rear drum brake, and less parking sensors. You still got the nerve to price it at RM 199,000…
On the other hand, what KIA Sorento offers including all of the above (except 6 airbags vs Fortuner 7) …..
At the price of RM 176,000 OTR.
UMW, you gotta be kidding me.
In 2006, I upgraded my CRV first generation to another SUV, considered CRV, Escape, X Trail and Fortuner. Choosed X Trail. With my kids growing up in 2011, I again upgraded to my drive. During then considered Fortuner, Pajero Sport, Santa Fe and Sorento. At the end picked Sorento. Last month, before changing my car, manage to see the all new Fortuner, also Outlander & Sorento. End up still not buying Fortuner. I guess I dislike the bigger engine capacity, its lack of cruise control (which I use very often) or its high pricing. Anyhow, no jodoh for me with Fortuner all these years. :-)
Maybe after this you have jodoh with mercedes amg suv , small engine with big horse power who know