Fortuner Fantasia
I eyed out the new trim on the leading edge of the Toyota Fortuna 2.5 D-4D diesel SUV, glinting in the sun, piquing my interest. Manufactured right here in Durban’s world class Prospecton plant since 2006, the test model I climbed into was equipped with Toyota’s new 2.5 D-4D VNT engine. The Toyota Fortuner forms part of Toyota’s Innovative Multi Purpose Vehicle program. There was that familiar Toyota environment, uncluttered and easy to navigate. The throaty growl from the diesel engine contrasted with the soft, comfortable upholstery. The 2.5 Fortuna diesel is only available as a 4X2 but its bigger brothers, the 3.0 D-4D and 4.0 V6 models provide all the total off road capability you could wish for from an SUV.
“The Fortuner has been one of our greatest success stories,” says Calvyn Hamman, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Toyota South Africa. “The combination of luxury, no-fuss reliability and proven off road capabilities has made it a popular choice as family vehicle and overlander alike. The Fortuner is in many respects a unique product in the South African market.” I felt invincible in the Fortuner and took my test model over some really rough terrain, terrain I thought would need four wheel drive to traverse and there was a stage when I started thinking of which friend I would call to come and pull me out of the soft sand, but the Fortuner just kept going and surprised me with its agility and ability. Make this the off road vehicle of your choice.