Toyota Fortuner 4x4 Automatic launched

Toyota has equipped the 4x4 variant with a 5-speed automatic gearbox. The 4x4 AT Fortuner is priced at Rs 26.59 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi and will be available in one variant only. Toyota hasn’t introduced a TRD Sportivo variant for the automatic. An automatic for the 4x4 was something the Fortuner lacked but it was a conscious decision as it would be an expensive proposition. But the Fortuner is well established and selling way better than all its rivals put together so the price isn’t much of a concern now. And with no real threat in sight till Ford introduces the new Endeavour, the 4x4 AT adding to the lineup will only benefit the Japanese carmaker.

As far as cosmetic updates go, the 17 inch alloy wheels for the 4x4 AT get a grey tinge, it gets silver accents to the Fog lamps and comes with smoked headlamps and taillamps. On the inside, you get all black interiors and a touch screen DVD player with navigation and voice recognition. 

The Fortuner 4x4 AT is powered by the 3.0-litre 4-cylinder oil burner pumping out 171PS of max power at 3,600rpm and 360Nm of max torque from 1,400-3,200 rpm. In addition to the AWD automatic, Toyota has also announced standardization of dual front airbags across all variants of all models in the portfolio.

Besides the introduction of the automatic, Toyota has also revised prices of the Fortuner to accommodate the increased excise duty. The base variant costs Rs 24.27 lakh, a little over Rs 2 lakh more than pre-excise rollback rates. Each variant will be costlier by at least Rs 2 lakh now. While 6 percent of it is added excise, the rest of it is a year-end price increase.