Toyota could be planning to introduce a new SUV in the international markets. The new SUV is likely to be christened the Toyota FJ Cruiser or Land Cruiser FJ and could sit below the Fortuner. According to sources, the FJ is likely to use the Fortuner engine and platform and also arrive in the Indian market, after its global debut.
Thanks to platform sharing, the mini-fortuner could help improve the economies of scale for the brand and further reduce costs of the new SUV. Reports further suggest that the new SUV is also likely to continue with the same wheelbase as the Fortuner allowing two or three-row seating.
In addition to this, the new mini-SUV is likely to come with a boxy design on the exteriors with rugged claddings. The SUV is also likely to come with a butch front fascia and muscular wheel arches. The brand is also likely to offer a clamshell bonnet and upright windscreen and minimal overhangs.
Under the bonnet, the mini-Fortuner is likely to come with the 2.7-litre four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC petrol engine. The Dual VVT-i petrol engine makes 166 PS and 245 Nm of torque. The petrol engine is available with a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The SUV is also likely to come with a 2.8-litre four-cylinder Variable Nozzle Turbocharged diesel engine with an output of 204 PS. On the Fortuner, the diesel engine produces 400 Nm of torque on the Manual gearbox and 500 Nm of torque on the Automatic. However, it is likely that the mini-Fortuner is likely to come with a smaller 2.4-litre diesel engine instead of the 2.8-litre diesel engine.
Sources say that the Toyota FJ Cruiser/Land Cruiser FJ is likely to make its world debut in Thailand, followed by the entry into the Indian market.
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