2016 Toyota Fortuner
07-29-15, 07:11 AM
#46
Lexus Test Driver
Whew, I thought that X6 lookalike was a real Fortuner, good thing it was a rendering. There's no way you could fit 7 seats in there unless the third row was for toddlers only.
A Fortuner with a 3.0 turbodiesel is a common semi-luxury SUV in places like Thailand. They're tough enough to take on rutted muddy roads and logging/plantation trails while having a comfortable interior. The cost is also a lot less than a Prado and face it, most people don't need all the Prado and LC tech anyway when a high ride height and low range 4WD are all that they need.
A Fortuner with a 3.0 turbodiesel is a common semi-luxury SUV in places like Thailand. They're tough enough to take on rutted muddy roads and logging/plantation trails while having a comfortable interior. The cost is also a lot less than a Prado and face it, most people don't need all the Prado and LC tech anyway when a high ride height and low range 4WD are all that they need.
11-04-15, 06:51 PM
#48
Lexus Champion
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Toyota now has a massive seven SUVs in its range we have hopped behind the wheel of the newest — the Toyota Forutner. The Fortuner sits alongside the Kluger and offers buyers a more affordable diesel SUV option that can also go off road.
02-05-16, 02:29 AM
#51
Driver
There are rumours that Lexus will make a version of the Fortuner and the Hilux, but they are only rumours for now.
I think it would be a good idea to make a Lexus version of the Fortuner to fill the gap between the RX and the GX, because the GX is too expensive for some and the RX is not suitable for off roading and towing.
I think it would be a good idea to make a Lexus version of the Fortuner to fill the gap between the RX and the GX, because the GX is too expensive for some and the RX is not suitable for off roading and towing.
02-05-16, 06:09 AM
#52
There are rumours that Lexus will make a version of the Fortuner and the Hilux, but they are only rumours for now.
I think it would be a good idea to make a Lexus version of the Fortuner to fill the gap between the RX and the GX, because the GX is too expensive for some and the RX is not suitable for off roading and towing.
I think it would be a good idea to make a Lexus version of the Fortuner to fill the gap between the RX and the GX, because the GX is too expensive for some and the RX is not suitable for off roading and towing.
Also does anybody else think its a dumb name? I read it and pronounce in my head as Fortuna.
02-05-16, 07:27 AM
#53
Pole Position
They need a crossover suv with 7 seats, not another BOF truck. That will fill the gap between the RX and the GX then maybe a sub NX crossover based on the CHR, with more luxury and lexus construction.
02-05-16, 07:59 AM
#54
There are rumours that Lexus will make a version of the Fortuner and the Hilux, but they are only rumours for now.
I think it would be a good idea to make a Lexus version of the Fortuner to fill the gap between the RX and the GX, because the GX is too expensive for some and the RX is not suitable for off roading and towing.
I think it would be a good idea to make a Lexus version of the Fortuner to fill the gap between the RX and the GX, because the GX is too expensive for some and the RX is not suitable for off roading and towing.
Lexus already has best version possible of something similar, that is the GX.
As to the Hilux, same goes there... if they ever do a Lexus pickup (which i doubt), it would be based on Tundra and not Hilux. But I doubt that will happen ever. Pickups are not that popular in middle east where this would sell for Lexus.
02-05-16, 09:14 AM
#55
Driver
Lexus considering HiLux-based ute
It's not a top priority, but a pick-up based on Toyota's HiLux is a 'study item' at Lexus
It seems inconceivable, but Lexus admits it has been secretly studying the potential for a ute or pick-up vehicle.
Talking to motoring.com.au at the Australian launch of the new RX, Lexus’ product planning project leader Makoto Tanaka admitted the company has been examining the possibility of a prestige ute.
“It’s one of the study items so far we’re looking at,” he said via an interpreter.
Tanaka cautioned that the ute was “the least possible” of the vehicles Lexus is currently studying, which include a seven-seat RX and a compact SUV, but his confirmation that a ute is under consideration is significant.
Over the years there have been a few locally converted utes using the Toyota LandCruiser-based Lexus LX as their basis, plus a number of customised Holden utes powered by Lexus V8 engines, and BMW even turned an M3 into a ute for an April fool’s gag a few years ago.
But so far no luxury car maker has had the audacity to produce a premium pick-up, although that will change when Mercedes-Benz releases its GLT-Class ute around 2019, based on the latest Nissan Navara.
In Australia and major markets like Russia, South America, Middle East, Thailand and, increasingly, North America, mid-size pick-ups are big business, and in Australia customers are regularly paying upwards of $50,000 for them.
So when the world’s oldest and biggest luxury brand gets on the bandwagon, people in powerful positions take notice, and Lexus is in a better position to produce a premium pick-up than most of its rivals with a ready-made platform in the new HiLux.
Tanaka-san admits the priority is “very low” for a Lexus ute – at present – but with established European brands such as Renault and Fiat also joining the ute segment, it’s clear the segment is appealing to an increasing number of unlikely car-makers.
It’s unlikely we’ll see a Lexus ute this decade, but if demand increases for the vehicles globally, and particularly if Mercedes’ ute experiment is successful, the Japanese brand will be in a strong position to deploy its own ute – potentially with heated and cooled Nappa leather seats.
Is there a market for a Lexus ute that pushes the pricing envelope to $65,000 or more? And what’s next – a VW Amarok-based ute from Audi or a Land Rover Defender-based Jaguar pick-up?
It seems inconceivable, but Lexus admits it has been secretly studying the potential for a ute or pick-up vehicle.
Talking to motoring.com.au at the Australian launch of the new RX, Lexus’ product planning project leader Makoto Tanaka admitted the company has been examining the possibility of a prestige ute.
“It’s one of the study items so far we’re looking at,” he said via an interpreter.
Tanaka cautioned that the ute was “the least possible” of the vehicles Lexus is currently studying, which include a seven-seat RX and a compact SUV, but his confirmation that a ute is under consideration is significant.
Over the years there have been a few locally converted utes using the Toyota LandCruiser-based Lexus LX as their basis, plus a number of customised Holden utes powered by Lexus V8 engines, and BMW even turned an M3 into a ute for an April fool’s gag a few years ago.
But so far no luxury car maker has had the audacity to produce a premium pick-up, although that will change when Mercedes-Benz releases its GLT-Class ute around 2019, based on the latest Nissan Navara.
In Australia and major markets like Russia, South America, Middle East, Thailand and, increasingly, North America, mid-size pick-ups are big business, and in Australia customers are regularly paying upwards of $50,000 for them.
So when the world’s oldest and biggest luxury brand gets on the bandwagon, people in powerful positions take notice, and Lexus is in a better position to produce a premium pick-up than most of its rivals with a ready-made platform in the new HiLux.
Tanaka-san admits the priority is “very low” for a Lexus ute – at present – but with established European brands such as Renault and Fiat also joining the ute segment, it’s clear the segment is appealing to an increasing number of unlikely car-makers.
It’s unlikely we’ll see a Lexus ute this decade, but if demand increases for the vehicles globally, and particularly if Mercedes’ ute experiment is successful, the Japanese brand will be in a strong position to deploy its own ute – potentially with heated and cooled Nappa leather seats.
Is there a market for a Lexus ute that pushes the pricing envelope to $65,000 or more? And what’s next – a VW Amarok-based ute from Audi or a Land Rover Defender-based Jaguar pick-up?
02-05-16, 09:40 AM
#57
Driver
02-05-16, 10:30 AM
#58
For something to become a Lexus, they would need to build this from the start and Hilux can not be made luxurious enough to be a Lexus... same goes for Fortuner - it was not built to be a luxury vehicle.
02-05-16, 11:31 AM
#59
Lexus Champion
yeah, so where did we go from "pickup" to "hilux-based" and also Fortuner? AU mags have a way of putting lies on the paper (what else to call them). Just look at how they said that Toyota is bringing turbo FRS 4 years ago and kept repeating the story every 6 months.
For something to become a Lexus, they would need to build this from the start and Hilux can not be made luxurious enough to be a Lexus... same goes for Fortuner - it was not built to be a luxury vehicle.
For something to become a Lexus, they would need to build this from the start and Hilux can not be made luxurious enough to be a Lexus... same goes for Fortuner - it was not built to be a luxury vehicle.
Currently, the IMV series is manufactured in 11 locations, including four countries designated as global IMV supply bases: Thailand, Indonesia, Argentina and South Africa. These four bases provide vehicles to markets in Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Central and South America, and the Middle East. Additionally, major components such as diesel engines produced in Thailand, gasoline engines produced in Indonesia and transmissions produced in the Philippines and India are distributed to IMV-producing countries.
As can be seen, these countries are largely developing ("BRIC") countries, so they are designed for low cost production, low price, for use in areas where road infrastructure may not be as well developed as 1st-World countries.
