JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The Toyota Fortuner – which claims to be South Africa’s top-selling sport utility wagon – also claims it needs no introduction given it is ”built on the rock-steady foundation of its Hilux bakkie sister.
It’s a luxury seven-seater which, its maker says, ”has proved its blend of style, off-road competency, and passenger ability, suits the South African lifestyle”.
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Nevertheless, Toyota SA has boosted its desireability with a number of exterior additions and generated a new model badge: Toyota Fortuner Epic.
Two versions are in showrooms (perhaps check for opening hours given the 2020 Covid-19 crisis) across South Africa powered by either a 2.8-litre GD-6 engine: the ‘standard’ Fortuner Epic and Fortuner Epic Black.
Why? Because it has black accents to support what Toyota calls ”enhanced value”…
To each shell have been added branded nudge-bar and towball. Epic Black models include a bi-tone finish: black roof, black roof-rails, black external mirrors, and unique all-black 18-inch alloy wheel rims.
”These high-contrast elements,” Toyota says, ”are exclusively combined with white paintwork on the Epic Black to create a bespoke model that’s certain to make an impression on both bush and boulevard potential buyers.
Other colours are white, silver, grey or bronze.
LEATHER UPHOLSTERY
Protection bits include metal scuff plates on the door sills and Epic-branded floor mats.
Also standard will be standard Fortuner leather upholstery and soft-touch fascia trim.
The interior layout remains as per 2019 units – which means the inclusion of elevated second- and folding third-row seating.
The usual array of 2.8 Fortuner specification items also apply, among them dual-zone aircon, smart locks and push-button ignition, touchscreen infotainment system with satnav, reversing camera, colour info display, blue Optitron instrumentation, cruise control, steering-wheel switches, power-adjustable driver’s seat and a powered tail door.
THREE-WAY OFF-ROADING
Each unit will come with ABS, TRC, VSC, BAS, EBD and hill-start assistant. All-wheel drive units will also have Toyota’s A-Trac off-road traction control logic and downhill control.
‘On-the-fly’ selectable 2WD/4WD/4WD low-range are also included in the deal.
AND SO TO THE PRICES…
Fortuner 2.8 RB Epic 6 a/t – R660 000
Fortuner 2.8 Epic Black 6 a/t – R670 100
Fortuner 2.8 4X4 Epic 6 a/t – R729 000
Fortuner 2.8 4X4 Epic Black 6 a/t – R739 100
*2.4 GD-6 and 2.7 VVTi Fortuner models continue unaltered.
**The 4.0 V6 model has been discontinued.
***Manual transmission units no longer available.
…AND SERVICE PLANS
Each Fortuner will be delivered with a six-services/90 000km* service plan and three-year/100 000km* warranty. Service intervals for diesel engines every 10 000km, petrol 15 000km.A variety of service plan extensions is available. Ask your dealer for more information.
*Whichever comes first.
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