Should Toyota Launch Fortuner with Auto Transmission?

[canonball]

Been officially advised that the Toyota Fortuner will not come with Automatic at Launch!!

Folks please comment on whether this is the right direction.

I for one want an Automatic as it is cumbersom to drive such large vehicles without an auto what say you guys?

[Gasolinejunkie]

I’ll drive a manual until I lose my left foot or arm. I used to work in an automatic specialist workshop and I’ve seen way to many problems to want one, even if it did drive as good as a manual.
For one, its an added component to service and an extra thing that could go wrong. And in India I don’t think there are many people who could fix them. The older autos are easy with clutches, bands and a valve body but the new boxes are a pain to fix if something goes wrong.
Toyota’s reason for only selling a manual is costs, autos are a lot more expensive.

[Cyrus43]

It makes alot of sense for toyota to give an Automatic Option. How many people are actually going to use their Manuals the way we do??

For someone who is going to buy a Fortuner, It is going to be a "Luxury" vehicle!!

[Sahil]

For me, an SUV needs to be manual, as 80% of the time it is chauffeur driven. Unless I get a luxury SUV like a Cayanne or something
If I was self driving the car then probably get an automatic, but I probably wouldnt choose such a monster for the dailly city drives in the first place.

Would they be getting a 2 wheel drive version or just a full time 4x4?

[hondadude]

The problem is that a lot of people who buy 20L cars don't drive themselves and that puts those of us who want to drive ourselves, at a disadvantage as companies position their products towards majority of the segment.

Sigh! I would vote for Fortuner Automatic but I doubt if Toyota is going to launch it. Heck, they aren't even launching Innova automatic which IMO is a no-brainer.

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by hondadude

The problem is that a lot of people who buy 20L cars don't drive themselves and that puts those of us who want to drive ourselves, at a disadvantage as companies position their products towards majority of the segment.

Very true, look at the Accord V6, only automatic option available, and with the kind of power it boasts off, it is a sure shot candidate for enthusiasts, but the auto tranny is not the right combo with the 270 Bhp!
However, if the fortuner is coming with a manual option, good for people who want to drive and driven around, right?

[entropy]

Originally Posted by Sahil

For me, an SUV needs to be manual, as 80% of the time it is chauffeur driven. Unless I get a luxury SUV like a Cayanne or something
If I was self driving the car then probably get an automatic, but I probably wouldnt choose such a monster for the dailly city drives in the first place.

I would prefer a manual for this one simply because it would be chauffeur driven most of the time. The 4x4 manual would perhaps give it more control when riding it to the village and countryside where roads don't exist esp during rainy season. Eagerly waiting for this one as my Innova's replacement. I hope Petes also comes up with a kit by then .

[BikerSG]

automatic tranny pls!

[vasudeva]

In Philippines, where it sells well, it is priced at
Fortuner 4x2 G 2.4 Dsl A/T: Rs. 15.16 lakhs
Fortuner 4x2 G 2.7 Gas A/T: Rs. 14.49 lakhs
Fortuner 4x4 V 3.0 Dsl A/T: Rs. 17.76 lakhs

1 Philippine peso equals Rs. 1.04

[VeeTee]

Ideally, ATs are perfect for the Indian traffic scenarios. But, the customer acceptance is still quite low. Also, for sheer driving pleasure MT beats an AT (personal opinion).
That said, since this is not going to be a cheap vehicle, I don't see any harm in Toyota also getting in the ATs. Will the Fortuners be assembled here or will it be CBUs?

[narayan]

if the gearing is spot on for city driving, one should be able to manage even without an automatic because minimal gear shifts would be required anyways..

the problem is with the huge premium that is attached to automatics in our market. its invariably used by manufacturers to offer it only as a top end model option and not as an option across the range

[vivekanand005]

i personally prefer automatic in cities because in manual it exhausts more in bumper to bumper traffic.

[StarScream]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

In Philippines, where it sells well, it is priced at
Fortuner 4x2 G 2.4 Dsl A/T: Rs. 15.16 lakhs
Fortuner 4x2 G 2.7 Gas A/T: Rs. 14.49 lakhs
Fortuner 4x4 V 3.0 Dsl A/T: Rs. 17.76 lakhs

1 Philippine peso equals Rs. 1.04

This pricing is what Toyota should have in India. If the car is 20 lakhs and an AT a couple more lakhs over that then who cares?

[hondadude]

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

However, if the fortuner is coming with a manual option, good for people who want to drive and driven around, right?

Driving in a crawling traffic of Bangalore for one hour (each way) every day isn't fun so AT is a lifesaver IMO.

[AlokSriva]

Chauffer-driven SUVs!!

I can not even dare imagine being driven around in an SUV. If one really wants to have a chauffer, wannabes (like CRV), sedans and MUVs are their best bet and not SUVs