It is decided well ahead that Toyota India will bring the new Toyota Fortuner and the new Toyota Innova to the 2012 Auto Expo. And it is relayed more than a couple of times that the revamped versions of the Fortuner, Innova duo is more of an external makeover and to fill in the gaps where it had been sorely missing, than an out and out facelift. Toyota Fortuner which was launched as a manual transmission SUV in a single variant of 4x4 wheel drive will be introduced with some additional variants without dismissing the fresher appeal on the exteriors. The 4x2 variant will be as much as 90 kg lighter than the available model in the manual transmission variant.
In the automatic variant, however, the weight reduction is settled down to 85 kg. On an overall, the performance and the handling of the SUV is believed to have seen a chunk of change on the positive side. The Toyota Innova will also be more of a skin deep change along the headlamps and grille to reflect the new look with dismal changes in the rear end of the car to account for the overall makeover. It does not need another affirmation from anybody as a matter of fact to relay the success the duo has brought for Toyota India. Both the cars have managed to garner the sales in their respective segments beyond the imagination of the car manufacturer. Launched back in August 2009, the Toyota Fortuner was introduced as a single variant with a powerful 3.0 L D-4D engine under the hood. The success was so overwhelming that the Fortuner managed to sell out 2,500 units, the stock meant for almost a year within a blink of an eye. Despite a promising beginning, lack of automatic variant and the other options seem to pinch the consumers especially after Ford Endeavour; its closest rival began to pose a threat with its revamped version and an automatic gearbox on the platter.
More so, with the Ford Endeavour sitting a notch below at a price of Rs 17.06 lakh (EX-Showroom price New Delhi) as compared to Toyota Fortuner price of Rs 20.45 lakh (EX-Showroom price New Delhi. However, Toyota India seems to wipe out all the drawbacks, in the new Toyota Fortuner in the 4x2 variant, which can contribute to a substantial price reduction. A new Automatic gearbox will be the other option to the existing 5-speed manual gearbox variant. So, we will have to see if there is going to be change in the Toyota Fortuner price for the revamped version or it will be the Rs 50,000 price hike the Toyota India has announced on its flagship model to go effective from January 1st of 2012. Toyota Innova fans will be pacified with the ramped up production of the all-new version to cut down on the waiting time of the MPV which now stands at 3-4 months. 2012 Toyota Camry will be another product from Toyota India for the 2012 Auto Expo.
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