Toyota Fortuner Mild Hybrid Revealed
New Delhi: Toyota has unveiled a mild-hybrid version of the Fortuner SUV in South Africa. The Fortuner MHEV shares its mild-hybrid technology with the Hilux MHEV, which was revealed late last year. After its debut in South Africa, the SUV is expected to hit other markets in the coming months.
Features of Toyota Fortuner MHEV:
- Incorporates idle start-stop functionality.
- Equipped with a 360-degree camera and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) technology.
- Adopts the same design as the Fortuner Legender variant in India.
What’s New with the Fortuner MHEV:
Visually, the South African-spec Fortuner MHEV closely resembles the Fortuner Legender available in India. However, the SUV offers more exterior paint options in the South African market compared to India’s dual-tone white and black colour choices.
Similar to the Hilux MHEV, the Fortuner MHEV is powered by the well-known 2.8-litre diesel engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system. This hybrid setup delivers an additional 16hp and 42Nm, resulting in a total output of 201hp and 500Nm of torque. Toyota claims that the Fortuner MHEV achieves 5 percent better fuel efficiency than the standard Fortuner 2.8 diesel. The SUV comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission as standard and offers both 2WD and 4WD variants. Additionally, Toyota asserts that the Fortuner MHEV delivers improved throttle response and smoother engine restarts with its new idle start-stop feature.
In addition to the mild-hybrid technology, the Fortuner now features the Toyota Safety Sense ADAS suite, a 360-degree camera, and some minor interior cosmetic updates.
Possibility of Bringing Diesel-MHEV Tech to India:
While the Fortuner MHEV and the Hilux MHEV are gradually being introduced globally, India currently continues with the regular Fortuner and Hilux models. Toyota presently offers petrol, petrol-hybrid, petrol-CNG, and diesel-powered models in India. It remains to be seen whether and when Toyota decides to introduce its diesel mild-hybrid technology to the Indian market. Additionally, Toyota plans to launch its first mass-market EV in India next year, which will be a counterpart to the Maruti eVX SUV.
This latest development from Toyota showcases its commitment to enhancing fuel efficiency and incorporating advanced technology in its vehicles.
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