Toyota Fortuner Mild-Hybrid Diesel With Better Mileage Likely Coming To India

• Toyota Fortuner mild-hybrid India launch likely this year. 
• 2.8-litre diesel engine now paired with a 48v mild-hybrid system. 
• The 48v mild-hybrid offers a torque boost and improved fuel economy. 
• Apart from the engine, no other changes are expected for the India-spec Fortuner.

Toyota India might launch the Fortuner with a mild-hybrid engine later this year. The updated model was introduced in South Africa a while ago and should offer better low-end driveability and fuel efficiency. Apart from the updated powertrain, there are no expected changes in the Toyota Fortuner. 

The Fortuner mild-hybrid gets the same 2.8-litre diesel engine, paired with a 48v mild-hybrid system. Power in the South African model is 3 PS down at 201 PS, but torque output remains the same at 500 Nm. Internationally, the Fortuner mild-hybrid gets only the six-speed torque converter automatic, but we suspect it will be introduced in India with the manual transmission as well. 

The 2.8-litre diesel engine is paired with a small electric motor and battery motor, the latter which gets charged while decelerating using regenerative braking. And once the battery has enough juice, the electric motor can send a power boost up to 16PS and 65Nm, improving driveability, especially when putting your foot down. 

And obviously, fuel efficiency is also improved, but by a marginal 5 percent. The standard Fortuner in South Africa has a claimed mileage of 12.65kmpl, while the mild-hybrid version has a slightly better number at 13.15kmpl. This is mainly due to the fact that it now has an improved start-stop system, which can keep the vehicle shut down during traffic for a longer time. 

Apart from the introduction of the mild-hybrid powertrain, no other changes are expected in the Fortuner. One can expect an increment in prices, which currently start from Rs 33.43 lakh (ex-showroom). The Toyota Fortuner will continue to lock horns with the MG Gloster, Jeep Meridian, and Skoda Kodiaq.