BENGALURU: Japanese auto major Toyota launched a new version of its popular SUV Fortuner in India. A petrol variant of the car is also being introduced for the first time. However, there will be both petrol and diesel options available because stringent impositions against diesel vehicles in places like Delhi NCR and Kerala have made this imperative.
The company which is present in India through a joint venture - Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) in partnership with the Kirloskar Group has priced the car in India between 25.92 lakh and `31.12 lakh.
The diesel variant will be powered by a new 2.8 litre engine whereas the petrol option will have a 2.7 litre engine.
“Fortuner is one of our flagship models and has won many hearts globally and as well as in India….We are confident that the new Fortuner will further delight our customers and continue its legacy to maintain its number one positioning in the Indian SUV market,” said Akito Tachibana, MD, TKM.
About his expectations from sales, TKM Director and Senior VP (Sales and Marketing) N Raja said that the Fortuner did about 16,000 units a year at its peak and the expectations are higher this time with the introduction of the petrol option.
“We expect the petrol option to have good demand in Delhi NCR and Kerala. Our expectation is that it’ll account for about 5-10 per cent of total sales,” he said.