Al-Futtaim Motors, the sole distributor for Toyota vehicles in the UAE, is all set to make waves with the second generation of the Toyota Fortuner which has made a mark in the market with its legendary off-road performance. In its new avatar, the seven-seat SUV has been thoroughly revamped both internally and externally.
If the first generation of the model was notable for its off-road ability, on-road comfort and its durability, the new version is characterized by its more muscular, sleeker design which optimizes fuel consumption and improves driving dynamics. It also comes with several innovative features to enhance safety, comfort and convenience.
Commenting on the new Fortuner Saud Abbasi, Managing Director of Toyota at Al-Futtaim Motors said that the Medium SUV segment accounts for 46% of the SUV market by volume in the UAE and the Fortuner has played a crucial role in Toyota maintaining leadership in this segment during the past 5 years. The Fortuner is just as good on-road as well as off-road and due to the fuel economy and versatility it offers, it is an ideal choice for medium to large families. According to Abbasi, the new improvements to the Fortuner will not only help the model to retain its appeal to this segment but will also draw greater interest from young Emiratis and Westerners looking for a strong SUV that effectively blends strong off-road capabilities with a premium looking interior.
Toyota has designed the new Fortuner using a new “Solid Fluidity” design language with elements of wideness and toughness like prominent wheel arch flares, a high body axis and a chunky trapezoidal front bumper. Sophistication design cues include front fenders with integrated headlight clusters, the three lines that score the sculpted roof line and flanks, and the stylish rear combination lamps that seamlessly blend with the complex surfaces of the rear body.
Compelling Design
The exterior has been thoroughly revamped and the Fortuner has a lower, wider and longer stance. The large, slanted upper grille is framed by thick chrome plating that extends around the sleek, aggressive Bi-beam LED headlamps with integrated Daytime Running Lights (DRL), while the prominent trapezoidal front bumper creates a sense of depth.
The new Fortuner, unlike most SUVs, has a smart but tough look with a rounded upper body and a rear bumper having protruding corners. The interiors are stylish and comfortable with colored accent stitching, metallic ornamentation and detailed ‘Fortuner’ script on the upper glove box release button and rear door trim ornament.
Excellent Utility
The Fortuner not only has a spacious cabin but has numerous convenience features which add to the comfort to the drive. Features like a vertical center cluster in the dashboard awith soft leather upholstery on either sides are normally seen only in premium sedans. Exquisite chrome detailing and plenty of soft–touch textures are seen throughout the cabin and beautifully complement the clear blue interior illumination. The white ambient lighting throughout the interior creates a warm atmosphere. The air conditioner in addition to maintaining a comfortable temperature in the cabin can also be used to chill drinks and has a highly efficient compressor which minimizes the load on the engine and improves fuel economy.
Other new innovative touches (model dependent) include a 7-inch tablet-inspired multimedia touchscreen display that allows easy operation of on-screen features, a Smart Entry & Start system, an electronic 4WD switch and second-row seats with one-touch operation for ease of folding. Passengers in the second row seats also get an 8” RSE, which includes plenty of entertainment options for kids. The third row seats come with a fixed hook attachment for easy storage. There are as many as 15 storage areas in the new Fortuner.
The Rear View Monitor System has a full color display to facilitate reverse parking. The sound system is excellent with a 6 speaker specialized audio equalizer. Smartphones and all portable media devices can also be used freely within the SUV.
The 4.2-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) type Multi-information Display located on the dashboard provides quick access to entertainment controls and driving information like Idling/Stop time and EcoDrive Indicator.
The power back door can be easily opened and closed electronically with a switch and the memory option allows users to store automatic stop positions. When it comes to the colors of the seats, chamois shade is available for the fabric seats while in the VXR model, Saddle Tan is available for the leather seats.
Outstanding Driving Performance
Manju Mathew, an MBA in marketing, completed publisher training courses from the Oxford Brookes University and New York University. She started with marketing and PR roles before moving on to her current position as a full time writer. Currently living in Dubai, her life as an expat has sharpened her observation skills and flair for writing. She enjoys writing about luxury cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc even if she can only dream of owning them.
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