In the past few years, the automobile industry in India has witnessed an explosion of sorts when it comes to new car launches. Indeed, each of the vehicles launched are competing for the Numero-uno spot not just in India but also in global markets. There are some cars that are strongly committed to a single continent or a region and its models are launched every year with either improvements or adaptations to cater to the evolving desires of the target buyers. One such example is the 2014 Toyota Fortuner. The Fortuner has been a nothing less than a marquee car for Toyota in India.

Lately, Toyota launched the new Toyota Fortuner in the Indonesian market, which is in fact a facelift of the earlier Fortuner model. The additions to the car are not many. The changes include a new set of LED strips on the trims of the car that functions as the running daytime lights.

It is expected that Toyota will introduce the 2014 Fortuner in the Indian subcontinent towards the end of this year. This would be around the same time when Toyota would also be introducing the Hilux Vigo. Today, the Indian automobile industry is facing stiff competition in the SUV and the compact SUV segment. This has compelled several automakers to revise their design and launch strategies.

The 2014 Toyota Fortuner’s interiors receive a functional update in the form of an advanced entertainment system which also includes a DVD player. Besides the entertainment system, the SUV’s cabin does not see any new changes. It has not received any mechanical upgrades so far. In the Indonesian markets, Toyota has introduced two engine options which include a 2.7-litre petrol powertrain as well as 2.5-litre diesel powertrain, which also powers the Innova. Both the engines are coupled with a 4 speed automatic or a 5 speed manual transmission.

In the Indian market, Toyota Fortuner is available with diesel powertrain only, but to compensate for the loss of petrol engine variant, Indian Fortuner comprises of 3.0-litre D-4D diesel mill, mated to either a 5 speed automatic or manual transmission gearbox.

It is also expected that the Japanese automobile manufacturer will be introducing a comparable facelift for the Indian roads to propel its sales. The 2014 Fortuner is already bracing up for stiff competition ahead as Hyundai is working on the new Santa Fe model. Presently, the Fortuner is positioned against the likes of Ford Endeavour, SsangYong Rexton and the Chevrolet Captiva.

Toyota has designed the 2014 Fortuner for the extra-urban as well as urban driving, irrespective of the kind of road. The models of Toyota Fortuner Petrol, Diesel as well as the Limited Edition in Indonesia have different engines, vary in their equipment levels and are coming with a price tag ranging between Rupiah 396 million and 479 million.

Although the face-lift is not given any major upgrade, the company has planned to bring in the next generation Fortuner by 2016. The next Gen Fortuner will indeed be up for a good show with its complete rejuvenation.

Tagged: 2014 Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Cars India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor