The Toyota Motor Asia Pacific (TMAP) President, Hao Quco Tien, disclosed that the IMV 0 modular platform will not only be confined to pickups and light trucks and passenger cars. There may be an all-new SUV based on this architecture; since the brand is developing a new project.
Though he did not reveal the details of the project, it is rumored to be a mini Toyota Fortuner.
Details of Upcoming Mini Toyota Fortuner
The compact Fortuner could be called the Toyota FJ Cruiser or the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ.
– The new SUV will be a compact and budget-friendly version of the Fortuner. It could be initially introduced in Thailand and then other international markets.
– The new Toyota SUV will be built on the same platform as the Toyota Hilux Champ pickup truck, which is already available in Thailand and Indonesia.
More Details
The mini Fortuner will feature a boxy stance with retro design cues. Its wheelbase will be the same as the Innova Crysta and Fortuner – i.e., 2,750mm. This implies that it may come in two seating options – two and three-row.
Interior Details and Powertrain Details
The new Toyota mini-Fortuner will feature a more premium interior with a plain dashboard design. It may receive a bigger touchscreen infotainment system and several advanced features.
The IMV 0 platform is adaptable to various powertrains, such as 2.4L diesel, 2.8L diesel, 2.7L petrol, and others. So, Toyota will have several engine options for the smaller Fortuner.
Is Mini Toyota Fortuner coming to India?
There is no word on the same as of now. But the Japanese carmaker has sufficient room in its Indian product portfolio for this new off-road SUV. When it comes, the mini Fortuner will compete with the Mahindra Scorpio N and Roxx SUV. It would be interesting to know how these SUVs fare in the market.
Conclusion
The new mini Toyota Fortuner is expected to be a thrilling offering in the off-road SUV category. Based on the flexible IMV 0 platform, it is expected to offer a tough exterior, several seating configurations, and a series of powertrains to meet the needs of various markets. Although Toyota has not yet announced its entry into India, the SUV's ability to compete with the Mahindra Scorpio N and Roxx makes it a force to be reckoned with in the segment. Whether it will retain the Fortuner badge or adopt a new name such as the FJ Cruiser is yet to be known, but one thing is for sure – Toyota's new venture has the potential to disrupt the SUV market.
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