Toyota Fortuner


The Toyota Fortuner, also known as the Toyota SW4, is a mid-size SUV manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota since 2004.
Built on the Hilux pickup truck platform, it features two/three rows of seats and is available in either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configuration. It is a part of Toyota's IMV project for emerging markets, which also includes the Hilux and the Innova.
The name Fortuner is derived from the English word fortune.

Production

While the first-generation Fortuner was developed in Thailand by Thai and Japanese engineers, its facelifted version, as well as the Hilux and Innova, was designed in Australia by Toyota Australia, which is also responsible for developing the second-generation model.
For the medium body-on-frame SUV segment, Toyota offers the Hilux Surf / 4Runner and the Land Cruiser Prado. However, in some Central and South American countries, Australia and, New Zealand, Toyota offers the Fortuner alongside the 4Runner and/or Prado, like in Peru, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Specialised variants with a naturally-aspirated 5L-E diesel engine is offered to governments, organisations and the UN alongside other utility vehicles such as the Prado, Hilux, HiAce, and the 70 and 200 series Land Cruisers.

First generation (AN50/AN60; 2004)

The first generation Fortuner was unveiled in December 2004 at the Thailand International Motor Expo and was available for sale in early 2005. It is positioned below the Land Cruiser Prado and above the RAV4.
At first, the Fortuner was sold with 4 different types of 2 petrol engines and 2 diesel engines. All variants were offered in 4×2 or 4×4 configuration, with 5-speed manual transmission and a 4 or 5-speed automatic transmission. In August 2012, the 2.5-litre common-rail turbodiesel 2KD-FTV engine was upgraded to a variable nozzle turbocharger which was already equipped in the 3.0-litre common-rail turbo diesel 1KD-FTV since its introduction in 2005 to increase power and torque about 60%, also reducing fuel consumption up to 30%.
With this VNT equipment, the Fortuner could now accelerate from in about 11 seconds. It was launched to commemorate Pertamina's successful expedition from Jakarta, Indonesia to Rome, Italy using a group of Fortuners.

Variants

A number of engine options are available depending on the country of sale, including a 2.7-litre 2TR-FE and 4.0-litre 1GR-FE V6 petrol with Variable Valve Timing and 2.5-litre 2KD-FTV and 3.0-litre 1KD-FTV common rail variable geometry turbocharger diesel models.
Grade levels are G and G Luxury for rear-wheel drive diesel and petrol, and V for 4×4 Diesel and petrol. The common rail turbo intercooled diesel has a functional scoop on its hood.
In 2007, Toyota Thailand dropped the 4×4 petrol model and replaced it with a two-wheel drive petrol version.

Markets

Argentina

In Argentina, it is assembled in Zárate and sold as the Toyota SW4 in petrol and diesel versions. It is the only D-segment SUV made in Argentina.
As of 2020, the Argentine version has over 40% locally and 60% regionally made parts.

Brazil

Like in Argentina, it is known as the SW4 in Brazil and sold since 2006. In this market, there were 3 engine options offered: 3.0-litre 1KD-FTV diesel, 4.0-litre 1GR-FE V6 petrol and 2.7-litre 2TR-FE flex fuel.

Brunei

Launched in 2005, the Fortuner in Brunei is available in 2.5-litre manual G grade and 3.0-litre automatic V grade. The 2.5 G was available in 4×2 while the 3.0 V had full-time 4×4.

Colombia

The Fortuner was unveiled in Colombia in 2005 and launched in 2007 as a replacement for the locally assembled Prado that had been under production for 9 years without any changes. The Prado continued in production until 2009. A new grade was added in 2010, the Fortuner Urbana, with a petrol 2.7 L engine in 4×4 and 4×2 models.
The Fortuner is available in the following grade levels:
  • Fortuner Urbana 4×2, with a 2.7-litre engine.
  • Fortuner Urbana 4×4 with a 2.7-litre engine.
  • Fortuner Plus Diesel, with a 3.0-litre turbo engine.
All of them come standard with a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.

Ecuador

The Fortuner was unveiled in South America – Ecuador in 2005 and launched in 2007. Versions of the Fortuner have come from Venezuela and Thailand. There are various grade levels available, originally only 4×4 and 4×2 options using a V6 4.0-litre petrol engine were sold. Since 2010, a 2.7-litre engine option was introduced. New facelift models were also introduced. All grades come standard with a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.

Egypt

The Fortuner was unveiled in Egypt in 2010 and launched in 2011. It is available in two grades with two petrol engines: the 4-litre V6 1GR-FE, and the 2.7-litre inline-four 2TR-FE. All have automatic transmission and 4×4. Starting from April 2012, the car was assembled in Egypt at Arab American Vehicles.

India

Toyota launched the Fortuner in India in 2009. It is assembled at the Bidadi, Karnataka plant of Toyota Kirloskar Motor from imported CKD kits. Fortuner production increased to more than 950 vehicles per month from the initial 500 units per month.
Originally, there was only one grade model sold, which was the 3.0-litre 1KD-FTV engine 4×4 model, with leather upholstery, manual transmission and climatronic as standard. At the 2012 Indian Auto Expo, Toyota launched the 3.0-litre 4×2 option in both manual and automatic transmission. The top-of-the-range Fortuner 3.0 4×4 AT was introduced to the Indian market in January 2015 along with a 2.5-litre 2KD-FTV engine with 5-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmission. This 2.5-litre variant was only available in 4×2 configuration.

Indonesia

The Fortuner was introduced on 8 July 2005 at the 13th Gaikindo Auto Expo in Jakarta. Initially, the Fortuner was imported from Thailand and sold in 2.7 G and 2.7 V grade levels. The rear wheel drive 2.7 G was offered in the base grade with fabric interior and the Luxury with leather interior and premium sound system. The 3.0-litre diesel engine option is not sold in Indonesia, due to the heavier tax regulations imposed on vehicles with diesel engines larger than 2.5-litre.
The 2.5 G model was later added to the market in 2007, powered by a 2.5-litre diesel engine rated at. It is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Since then, the Fortuner is assembled locally at the Karawang plant to fulfill the local market and exports to the Middle East market.
In mid-2009, a newer variant was added to the lineup, which is the 2.5 G with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The 2.5 G grade can be ordered with "TRD Sportivo" body kits, which is also available as dealer installed options for other models. In August 2012, the 2.5-litre common-rail turbodiesel 2KD-FTV engine was upgraded with a variable nozzle turbocharger, rating the engine power output to. The 2.5 G 4×4 grade with automatic transmission was released in August 2014.

Kazakhstan

In June 2014, Toyota announced that complete knock-down production of the Fortuner at a production facility of Saryarka AvtoProm LLP. Plans call for a production of approximately 3,000 units annually and the hiring of an additional 100 employees in SAP.

Malaysia

The Toyota Fortuner was launched in Malaysia in August 2005 with two grade models: the 2.5 G and the 2.7 V.
In August 2008, the first facelift for the Toyota Fortuner was made available in Malaysia with four grade models: 2.5 G, 2.5 G TRD Sportivo, 2.7 V and 2.7 V TRD Sportivo.
In October 2011, the second facelift for the Toyota Fortuner was made available in Malaysia again with four grade models: 2.5 G, 2.5 G TRD Sportivo, 2.7 V and 2.7 V TRD Sportivo.
In October 2013, the Fortuner underwent a minor update. Changes included different colour for the wheels and black upholstery. Grade levels remained the same as the previous model. ISOFIX became standard across the range.
In February 2015, another minor update occurred. Changes included smoked head and tail lamps, bumper-mounted LED DRLs, different TRD Sportivo decals.
The 2.7 V and 2.7 V TRD Sportivo carried a 2.7-litre petrol engine. It was available only in 4-speed automatic transmission with ECT. The 2.5 G and 2.5 G TRD Sportivo had a 2.5-litre diesel engine. At the outset, available with a 5-speed manual transmission only, but for the 2009 model year facelift it was replaced by a 4-speed automatic. In August 2012, together with the Hilux, the engine received a variable nozzle intercooled turbocharger.

Pakistan

The Fortuner was launched in Pakistan in 2009 but later started to be locally manufactured in February 2013. Initially offered in two variants, Fortuner 2.7 VVT-i and TRD Sportivo, all with the 2.7-litre 2TR-FE engine.

Philippines

The Fortuner was introduced in 2005. It fills in the gap between the smaller RAV4, and the more premium Land Cruiser Prado. It was sold in two grade levels: the entry-level G, and the top-spec V.
The G models had three drivetrain options available; the 2.7-litre 2TR-FE petrol engine with VVT-i, or the 2.5-litre 2KD-FTV engine with common rail diesel that either came with a 4-speed automatic transmission, or a 5-speed manual. As for the V models, engine options were limited to diesel engines with automatic transmissions only with a choice of the 2.5-litre 2KD-FTV or the 3.0-litre 1KD-FTV. The top-of-the-line 4x4 model was equipped with the 1KD-FTV engine with D-4D technology and came with a 4-speed automatic transmission and a low range transfer case.
In October 2011, the Fortuner received a new front fascia, headlights and tail lights alongside the facelifted Innova and Hilux. The drivetrains remain the same.
In September 2012, the 2.5-litre 2KD-FTV diesel engine was upgraded with Variable Nozzle Turbocharger with intercooler. According to Toyota Motor Philippines, the engine would have improved fuel efficiency and produce additional power by 40% and increase torque by 30%. A new feature for the Fortuner 4×4 V diesel and 4×2 G diesel automatic variants was an audio system with GPS.