There has been much floating in the media about Toyota’s plans of bringing in the new-generation Toyota Fortuner and Innova at the 2016 Auto Expo, but it’s all highly speculative. We have gained confirmed knowledge from analysts and industry experts, on terms of anonymity, that the Japanese carmaker will not showcase the new Toyota Fortuner (2016) during the Auto Expo, and has no plans of launching it in 2016. There is, however, a strong possibility of the new Toyota Innova being showcased at the Expo followed by its launch in the later half of 2016.
Though the new-generation Toyota Fortuner is already on sale in Australia and Thailand, the delay in launch here is due to the company’s focus on achieving a high level of localisation. As a matter of fact, the company is planning to assemble the all-new GD series engine locally that will help it achieve aggressive pricing. The new Toyota Innova, on the other hand, will make its India debut at the Expo and might launch sometime by the end of 2016.
Both the vehicles are based on an all-new platform – Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) – that is claimed to be stiffer yet lighter than the one underpinning the current-generation models. The new Toyota Innova and Fortuner will also be powered by the same 2.4-litre turbocharged GD diesel engine that is good for 147bhp and 360Nm. Though the Toyota Fortuner 2016 will also get a more powerful powertrain, 2.8-litre diesel, that will replace the current-gen model’s 3.0-litre unit. This engine churns out a maximum power output of 175bhp and 420Nm.
The new-gen models of both the cars are also claimed to be about 10 per cent more fuel-efficient than the current ones, thanks to the lighter platform and new engine lineup.
Engine Options
New Toyota Innova (2016) – 2.4-litre diesel (147bhp, 360Nm)
New Toyota Fortuner (2016) – 2.4-litre diesel (147bhp, 360Nm) and 2.8-litre diesel (175bhp, 420Nm)
Expected Launch
New Toyota Innova (2016) – By the end of 2016
New Toyota Fortuner (2016) – Mid 2017
