Thursday, 17 March 2016 08:55

Fortuner will find favour with farmers

Written by  Mark Daniel
The new Fortuner is described as a ‘medium-rugged’ SUV. The new Fortuner is described as a ‘medium-rugged’ SUV.

With SUV sales increasing by 20% in 2015 over 2014 it's no surprise to see Toyota NZ increase its offering from six to seven models with the arrival of the new Fortuner.

Aimed at the upper-middle end of the choices, the Fortuner is labelled a 'medium-rugged' SUV, costing less than the Land Cruiser Prado but presenting as more hard-core than the 'medium-soft' Highlander. Toyota expects to sell 600-700 units per year.

Offered in three grades (GX, GXL and Limited) all models use the new 1GD-FTV engine already seen in the 2016 Prado and the new Hi-Lux. With 1340kw on tap and up to 450 Nm of torque between 1600 and 2400rpm, these motors burn diesel at around 8.6L/100km.

All ranges are available with a super-smooth six-speed automatic transmission, or for those with a twitchy left leg the GX model can be sourced with a six speed manual with the maker's Intelligent Manual transmission (i-MT) that matches engine revs to gear shifts.

Three selectable drive strategies offer Eco, Normal and Power settings, and combine with easy-to-select 2WD high, 4WD and 4WD low range, for those in search of off-road adventure. Indeed, with a separate chassis, double wishbone front suspension, and a four link rear set-up the vehicles showed optimum handling, great stability and good road handling during our first limited test drive.

A raft of safety features such as reversing camera, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist and downhill assist will give novices the confidence to take this vehicle off-road and return safely, and its work capabilities see it offer 2.8 tonnes braked towing capacity, including trailer sway control to keep things on the straight and narrow in difficult situations.

High levels of cabin fit and finish, with thought given to storage areas and cubbyholes, will ensure a place for all the ephemera we seem to carry in our cars. Passengers are offered three rows of adult size seats to give seven perches in total, although the vertical storage of the third row when not in use cuts into the load space and could do with a re-think.

As one would expect of this type of vehicle, electronics play their part: the steering wheel console has a 4.2 inch screen for trip information, and a centre console contains a 7-inch touch screen with audio, Bluetooth and satnav functions.

The GX and GXL are offered with cloth trim over large comfortable seats, and the top-end Limited gets the bling -- full leather trim, larger alloy wheels and powered seat adjustment.

A neat touch on the GL and Limited is a powered rear door which can be opened without the driver leaving the seat; and it has a memory function.

www.toyota.co.nz 

More like this

Enhanced Hilux hits the spot

The war for supremacy in the ute market is still being waged by market leaders Toyota and Ford, with the Hilux and Ranger.

Mako goes after Raptor

With Ford holding the reins of the ute market since about 2014, it was always going to be a case of when – not if – Toyota NZ would deliver a model to compete.

X marks the spot

While many car manufacturers set out to cater for all sectors of the market, it’s fair to say that Subaru has “stuck to its knitting”.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter