Toyota Fortuner Mild-Hybrid Variant Introduced In South Africa; Will It Come To India?

Toyota Fortuner Mild-Hybrid Variant: Japanese automaker Toyota has recently introduced a mild-hybrid variant of its popular Fortuner SUV in South Africa and it's expected to roll out in other markets soon. This new model is called the Fortuner MHEV and shares its mild-hybrid technology with the Hilux MHEV. The Toyota Hilux MHEV was unveiled last year.

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Toyota Fortuner Hybrid - Design 

Talking about its appearance, the South African Fortuner MHEV resembles the Fortuner Legender sold in India. However, in India, the SUV is limited to a dual-tone white and black colour option, while other markets get more colour choices for this variant. 

Toyota Fortuner Hybrid - Engine Specs 

Under the hood, the Toyota Fortuner MHEV is powered by the same 2.8 litre diesel engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system. This hybrid setup boosts power by 16 bhp and torque by 42 Nm, bringing the total output to 201 bhp and 500 Nm of torque. Toyota claims the Fortuner MHEV is 5 per cent more fuel-efficient than the standard 2.8 litre diesel model. It is paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and is available in both 2WD and 4WD variants.

Toyota Fortuner Hybrid - Features 

The Toyota Fortuner MHEV also boasts new features like better throttle response and a smoother engine restart thanks to its idle start-stop function. Additionally, it now includes the Toyota Safety Sense ADAS suite and a 360-degree camera, along with some interior cosmetic updates.

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The Toyota Fortuner MHEV and Toyota Hilux MHEV are gradually being launched globally, however, India is sticking with the regular Fortuner and Hilux models for now. Toyota offers a range of models in India, including petrol, petrol hybrid, petrol CNG and diesel variants. It's uncertain when Toyota might bring the diesel mild-hybrid technology to India. On the other hand, in the EV segment, Toyota is gearing up to introduce its first mass-market EV in India next year which will be a counterpart to the Maruti eVX SUV. This move signals Toyota's commitment to initiate its electric vehicle lineup and cater to the evolving needs of Indian consumers.