[dkaile]

Originally Posted by subodh

Can someone please explain as to how exactly does this gear box work in D3 and other slots?

This video from the 2011 Corolla featuring the exact same gear box, will give you exact idea how the AT will work on the New Fortuner-

2011 Toyota Corolla Gated Shifter How To by Toyota City - YouTube

[vb-saan]

Thanks for the review! Nice facelift indeed. Quite similar to the way they did the update on the Corolla Altis. The car looks more family friendly now.

Even the interior updates looks quite nice. The dark faux wood finish is much better than weird brown shade in the outgoing version. IMO, the tacky looking audio interface is the only aberration in the otherwise neatly done dashboard.

[himavanth_m]

Does Toyota have a good gear box for high torque engines globally? I am not sure but I dont think they have one.
Could be the reason for not bringing a better gear box like DSGs into their diesel products here in India and still sticking old 4 speed Automatic gearboxes?

[nilanjanray]

Great review. The only thing I am envious about is the VSC. Rest of the things e.g. ICE, HID etc. I can add if I feel like it. Does anyone have any idea about whether vsc can be retrofitted and whether it is advisable to do so using Toyota India technicians who haven't exactly made me feel confident about their capabilities? Guess it is not a good idea.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by karpusv

The Paired Bluetooth shows Galaxy Tab! Did you get to check the audio streaming quality or range of the Bluetooth?

The range is h-u-g-e. A Toyota engineer walked about 15 feet away from the car, and his tab was still able to stream crystal clear music to the Fortuner.

Originally Posted by entropy

Are there 6 airbags in the refreshed fortuner ?

Unfortunately not. Only 2.

Originally Posted by Y@SH

Haven they forgotten to insert the faux wood finish in the below part of the steering?

Not really. Many premium cars have the wood effect on the top only.

Originally Posted by BIBIN004

Simply awesome review GTO. Is the cruise control not part of the 4*4 MT ?

Nope, cruise control is only offered with the Automatic (a gearbox with which it makes the most sense).

Originally Posted by nitinbose

Are you sure the VSC feature is present? I have also checked Toyota singapore and philipines websites on the facelifted fortuner but this feature seems not available!

You'll see the VSC button right below the text where I mentioned this feature. And yes, I double-checked with the specifications sheet as well. If Toyota doesn't offer it in Singapore or Philippines, well, here's a pat on the back to them for bringing VSC to the Indian Fortuner.

Originally Posted by nitinbose

There is no need for the current owners to feel bad, we can always upgrade!

There's no point in swapping your Fortuner for a face-lift and losing 8 - 10 lakhs in the process. You stand to lose way too much in depreciation. Hold on to her for another couple of lakh kms .

Originally Posted by dkaile

The Sun Glass Holder design seemed to have modified too and seems like a push button soft opening type

You sure have an eagle eye. Yep, this is correct.

is there any change in seat materials and different fabric for the manual 4x2?

I did feel that the seats are a li'l softer. However, unless I check this back to back with the ol' Fortuner, I cannot confirm and hence, haven't mentioned it in the review.

Originally Posted by subodh

They should have introduced the 7 speed CVT available on the altis (dont know if its compatible with the diesel engine)

Cannot use the gearbox of a sedan in an SUV. The torque, and its delivery requirements, are completely different.

Can someone please explain as to how exactly does this gear box work in D3 and other slots?

L = 1st gear only
2 = Won't shift higher than 2nd
3 = Won't shift higher than 3rd. You can move from D to 3 (on the move) if you want to manually downshift (say, right before an overtaking manouveur).

Originally Posted by himavanth_m

Does Toyota have a good gear box for high torque engines globally?

You can start with the Landcruiser twin-turbo V8 diesel automatic!

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Does anyone have any idea about whether vsc can be retrofitted

No chance. And if someone tells you they can, run in the opposite direction.

[jacksons]

Touch screen double-DIN head unit with a DVD player, USB + AUX inputs and Bluetooth connectivity. Looks more like an after-market unit than a factory fit

I couldn't stop laughing for your above comment as these kind of units are all over place in China for as low as US$ 250.00 and custom build for Fortuner.

[Enigmatic]

A good car made even better . Nice modifications , make it look like its elder brother a bit more, but who dosen't want a good looking car at a fraction of the price .

The really impressive thing about Toyota is that even though the fortuner was selling in descent numbers, they still went ahead with an upgrade. People do say its because of the launch of the XUV but is that really so ??

The XUV is a great product , but it still cannot be compared to the likes of the Fortuner .

Great move Toyota

[Carb]

L = 1st gear only
2 = Won't shift higher than 2nd
3 = Won't shift higher than 3rd. You can move from D to 3 (on the move) if you want to manually downshift (say, right before an overtaking manouveur).


An Excellent review there GTO!!
Just to brief you on the feature, its not exactly what you have explained.
The explanation would be :different levels of Engine braking i.e. Low-3, Med-2, High-L. As in D mode engine braking will not be provided (mileage point of view)
You especially need that while driving downhills

Cheers!!

[1-Testosterone]

King of SUV's under 20L has done it again with several options for it's customers. But I'm disappointed that Toyota has done NOTHING as far as safety goes. No additional airbags (shame really for this class, though ESP is welcomed) or even disc brakes on all 4 wheels. Looks like even Toyota thinks that this is not a vehicle meant for ON Road but rather Off Road.
On the other hand, Hyundai is on getting better and better lately with Santa Fe offering just everything including 6 airbags, ESP, AT and last but not least cracker of an diesel engine. I don't think there's a better overall SUV on road under 25L right now.

[Guna]

Originally Posted by GTO

L = 1st gear only
2 = Won't shift higher than 2nd
3 = Won't shift higher than 3rd. You can move from D to 3 (on the move) if you want to manually downshift (say, right before an overtaking manouveur).

Originally Posted by Guna

Are you sure L-2-3-D can be used like manual? I thought when you put it to '3' it uses 1, 2, 3 gears which is different from slotting to third gear in a manual.
This also requires the driver to look at the lever/slot or at least pay attention (while gradually moving the lever in those slots) which is unlike the manual (which you can change in a fraction).

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Pretty sure, because if 3 used 1,2 and 3 it would have been called D3. I'm reasonably sure of that. A person can easily get used to the movement of the shifter after a few days and there is the gear display in the dash to double check too. You can change these reasonably quick, but I don't see why anyone would keep on using it like this after buying an auto. I was just pointing out that it is possible.

@ GTO, thanks for clarifying this aspect.
@akshay1234, this means slotting it to '3' position means it uses gears till 3rd. It doesn't hold to 3rd gear like in a manual.

[mxx]

Originally Posted by himavanth_m

Does Toyota have a good gear box for high torque engines globally? I am not sure but I dont think they have one.
Could be the reason for not bringing a better gear box like DSGs into their diesel products here in India and still sticking old 4 speed Automatic gearboxes?

Fortuner v6 (gasoline) A/T is rated at 376Nm, it comes with 5-speed gearbox. Ofcourse, the power/torque delivery in gasoline is different from diesels. Anyway, since this vehicle (specially diesel variant) is only sold in emerging markets, toyota wont spend money in developing a more advanced transmission for fortuner.

As for DSG like dual clutch transmission (dct), few jap cars comes with DCT, and once that exist are mostly performance cars. DCT from toyota will take a long time.

[himavanth_m]

Originally Posted by GTO

You can start with the Landcruiser twin-turbo V8 diesel automatic!

I do not think they want to share the gear boxes between Landcruiser and Fortuner to keep Landcruiser exclusive. Is there any reason why they are not bringing in better automatic gear boxes into the indian market for their volume products especially the fortuner which carries a 20 lakh price? I am beginning to think that Toyota are becoming a bit complacent in improving their products within India. While I understand that toyota maintains excellent quality in all their products and some products are better engineered than their competition , but I want to understand the reason behind not bringing a 5 speed or a 6 speed DCT gear box into this vehicle.

Originally Posted by mxx

Fortuner v6 (gasoline) A/T is rated at 376Nm, it comes with 5-speed gearbox. Ofcourse, the power/torque delivery in gasoline is different from diesels. Anyway, since this vehicle (specially diesel variant) is only sold in emerging markets, toyota wont spend money in developing a more advanced transmission for fortuner.

As for DSG like dual clutch transmission (dct), few jap cars comes with DCT, and once that exist are mostly performance cars. DCT from toyota will take a long time.

OT: Is the V6 AT turbocharged petrol AT that you are talking about?
But if toyota does not want to spend money on developing markets, in the long run they would face problems as competition will catch up with Toyota soon in these developing nations.

[Guderian]

Hi GTO,

Delightful review !

Being a current owner of the now labelled 'Classic' Fortuner a few points come to my mind after reading the review.

- Not sure whether I am very disheartened with the fact that the 4X4 isn't coming with the AT. If I understand these matters correctly 4X4s are best with MT. (Psst -Also the resale value of the current lot of 4X4s, being MT, is also preserved to a great extent - of course the pesky little 4X2 AT is a bother to some extent).

- Pity about the 'Classic' Fortuners missing the VSC. That is a great feature added on by Toyota. But I am a little scared about the ability of the ASCs here to handle such electronic gizmos here if the need arises.

- Really sorry to note that Toyota just simply passed over the chance of putting in disc brakes in the rear. This would have a been a real change/lift - more than anything else they have done on the vehicle.

- About the looks - am still partial to the 'Classic' going by the snaps of the face lifted Fortuner. May be I might change my mind on seeing the new kid on the block in flesh and blood.

- One upgrade which I can readily think of for my Fortuner right away - without playing around with the mechanicals or electrical whatchamacallitz is to throw the faux wood inserts all around the cabin and replace it with the grey inserts. That would be a relief. I am sure I can order them through the ASC.

- Won't really envy the USB port/reverse camera, multi spoked alloys, additional chrome (notice the hand break tip ?) and other minor thingamajigs.

- For a variety of reasons including our climate conditions, capabilities of our local ASCs - I am glad that the 'Classic' Fortuner (OK call it PFF...Pre- Facelifted Fortuner if you please !) has most of the matters manual - not just the gear box but also the headlamp washing system among other things !

- The new Fortuner does have a much softer look. Even the slight change in the wheel well arch promotes this.

- I guess rather than bringing about a revolutionary change Toyota has brought about what could be best described as evolutionary change !

Thanks once again for a very crisp and helpful report GTO !

[mxx]

Originally Posted by himavanth_m

OT: Is the V6 AT turbocharged petrol AT that you are talking about?
But if toyota does not want to spend money on developing markets, in the long run they would face problems as competition will catch up with Toyota soon in these developing nations.

I dont think v6 is turbocharged or supercharged.
To my knowledge, there are no turbocharged/supercharged gasoline engines in fortuner lineup.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by Guderian

Being a current owner of the now labelled 'Classic' Fortuner a few points come to my mind after reading the review.

Couple of more observations after a dekko at the snaps of the new Fortuner.

- With the introduction of the ORVMs with the integrated side indicators the indicators above the wheel well have vanished.

- Thankfully, the chrome on the ORVMs has vanished.

- The 3.0 D-4D badge too seems to have vanished from above the wheel wells to a single one at the rear.
The area above the wheel well now looks bare.

- With the expanded hood scoop - it now looks very symmetrical and in line with the bonnet center. Currently scoop is placed a little off-center.

- The expanded scoop would mean a slightly larger inter-cooler and there would a slight shift of its position in the engine bay I guess.

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