2021 Toyota Fortuner, Legender draw 5,000 bookings in a month

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has announced receiving around 5,000 bookings for the recently-launched refreshed 2021 model-year version of its top-selling SUV in India – Toyota Fortuner.

The booking numbers also include volumes of the Legender variant, which was introduced as the sportier iteration of the Fortuner, to cater to the young and discerning buyer of the SUV. Both cars were launched on January 6.

TKM says that considering huge customer demand for the model, it has commenced despatches of the SUVs to its dealers across the country.

According to Naveen Soni, senior vice-president, TKM, “The sheer number of enquiries and bookings for both the Fortuner and Legender reiterate our belief in the customer-first approach. Both the SUVs were created purely based on customer feedback thus helping us garner a good response.”

“We are working hard to ensure the quickest possible delivery time so that our customers can experience India’s most admired SUV at the earliest. The new year has begun on a very strong note for us and we are geared up to continue to delight our customers with ever-better products and our renowned after-sales service of global standards in 2021 as well,” he added.

The Toyota Fortuner holds a significant 53 percent share of the premium midsized SUV segment in India. TKM has sold over 170,000 units of the model since it was first introduced in the country in 2009. Now, with the Legender variant, it is optimistic about increased demand as TKM is witnessing an “overwhelming” customer response attributed to the bold styling and equipment list on the top-end version of the SUV.

Core changes
The refreshed Toyota Fortuner continues to be offered with a 2.7-litre, four-cylinder, 166bhp petrol (5MT or 6AT) or a 2.8-litre, four-cylinder, BS VI-compliant diesel engine.On the other hand, Toyota has revised the power output of the diesel significantly.It now produces 204bhp and 500Nm of torque in its six-speed automatic variant, offering a 15 percent uptick in power compared to the outgoing car that produced 177bhp. The diesel with the six-speed manual option, however, will continue to produce the same output as before.

The refreshed model also gets a host of exterior and interior changes including a new front bumper, mesh inserts, and redesigned LED headlamps with integrated DRLs. On the side, the SUV gets updated 18-inch alloy wheels as well as sleek LED tail lamps at the back.

On the inside, Toyota has brought updates to the infotainment system which now comes in the form of an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, replacing the 7-inch version on the outgoing model. The company has also reworked the driver's instrument cluster as well as offered electronically adjustable and ventilated driver's and co-driver's seats.

There is an 11-speaker JBL sound setup, connected-car technology and 360-degree camera on offer too. Customers could choose from either all-black or chamois interior colour options.

The top-end Fortuner Legender variant which will act as a sportier offering in the Fortuner line-up. The SUV gets certain distinguishing features such as a split grille, sequential LED turn indicators and a completely different front bumper compared to the regular Fortuner. It also gets gloss-black accents and a different set of alloy wheels to stand out from its sibling.

While the Fortuner facelift will be available in both 4x2 and 4x4 (diesel-only) variants, the Legender trim has only been restricted to the 2.8 AT 4x2 variant, which is priced at Rs 37.58 lakh, ex-showroom, India. The said trim will also be available only in a Pearl White paint shade with contrast black roof and offer black-and-maroon interior layout.