Toyota has rolled out a mild-hybrid variant of the Fortuner SUV in South Africa, sharing technology with the previously unveiled Hilux MHEV. Following its South African debut, the Fortuner MHEV is poised to enter other markets soon. Visually, the South African model bears resemblance to the Fortuner Legender available in India, albeit with fewer exterior paint options primarily offering a dual-tone white and black color scheme.
Like its counterpart, the Hilux MHEV, the Fortuner MHEV packs a 2.8-liter diesel engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system, boosting power by 16hp and 42Nm for a total output of 201hp and 500Nm of torque. Toyota touts a 5 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the standard Fortuner 2.8 diesel. The vehicle comes equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission and offers both 2WD and 4WD variants. Additionally, Toyota emphasizes improved throttle response and smoother engine restart with the new idle start-stop feature.
In addition to the mild-hybrid technology, the Fortuner now integrates the Toyota Safety Sense ADAS suite and a 360-degree camera, alongside minor interior cosmetic enhancements.
Regarding the Indian market, Toyota has yet to introduce diesel-MHEV technology. While the Fortuner MHEV and Hilux MHEV are gradually being introduced globally, India continues to offer the regular Fortuner and Hilux models. Currently, Toyota offers petrol, petrol-hybrid, petrol-CNG, and diesel-powered vehicles in India. The prospect of introducing diesel mild-hybrid technology in India remains uncertain, particularly with Toyota’s plans to launch its first mass-market EV in the country next year, which will be a sibling to the Maruti eVX SUV.