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The new Fortuner

Tinashe Makichi : Motoring Correspondent

You know it’s a good car when dealerships are holding secondary launch events for the same car. To amplify the noise, maybe, or perhaps the market is currently subdued that you need to keep reminding customers of your presence. Whichever explanation you choose to go with, local dealership Motor City Toyota, last week launched the new Toyota Hilux 2016 and the Fortuner amid the same excitement from the motoring enthusiasts. You would think the same crowd was not at the official Toyota Zimbabwe launch a fortnight ago.The new generation Toyota Hilux 2016 and Fortuner according to Motor City Toyota are now available in stock and ready for sale on the local market.

One of the worlds’ best known and best loved nameplates; Hilux first hit dealerships in 1968, selling over 16 million in more than 180 countries.

The Hilux legacy remains legendary. Since its introduction in 1969, the Hilux model has etched an enviable reputation for itself across the globe, where its durability, strength and outright quality, has entrenched itself in the hearts of its owners.

This could not be truer than in Africa, where its legacy lives on, after a decade in the making the all new Toyota Hilux is now available on the local market.

Within the light commercial vehicle segment, customers have come to expect quality, reliability and durability when they purchase a Toyota, in addition when they purchase a Hilux they know that toughness and performance is included in these expectations.

The new Toyota Hilux continues to exceed expectations and places new emphasis on comfort, convenience and design. The pickup of today needs to fulfil a multi-purpose role, and not merely be a “jack of all trades” but in fact a “master of all”.

Toyota Hilux has always been a car of choice in Zimbabwe becoming an almost common vehicle associated with Government officials, company executives.

Completely re-designed from the inside out, the all-new Hilux ushers in a radically luxurious interior wrapped in a sophisticated, chiselled new body, offering exceptional on-road performance and new technologies while remaining true to its core values of uncompromising off-road ability and, of course, legendary toughness.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. For many years the new Generation Hilux and Fortuner have been only a dream that many hoped for but I am honoured to share the reality of that dream with you.

“In all honesty this is the first time I am hearing that Toyota engineers have put so much effort and consideration that usual to any of their cars.

“The improvements of these vehicles come unmatched with better chassis , better starting system, better shape, more space and strength everything has been better,” said Dealer Principal Hillary Manyenga at the Motor City event.

Meanwhile we all want and love freedom, or at least the idea of it. But what exactly is freedom? In short, it’s whatever we want it to be enjoying life without inhibitions. It’s the ability to go anywhere you like, whenever you want. A luxury without limits and this is embodied in the all new Toyota Fortuner.

The origins of the Fortuner are interesting. It dates back as far as 1984, when a mid-size SUV called the Hilux Surf was introduced and sold to selected markets, including Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The new Fortuner may share some under-the-skin artillery with its tough-as-nails Hilux sibling, but in terms of design, they’re poles apart.

In the current guise, the Fortuner spots a more distinctive, sleek yet striking and powerful design.

The front end looks bold and impressive, and the overall look is handsome and muscular.

The Fortuner has been designed to stand out in urban settings as well as withstand tough outdoor conditions, it boasts sharp, sculpted exterior lines, slender headlamps and has under body protection.

The large upper grille is slanted and framed by thick chrome plating that extends around the headlamps.

The strong design features a prominent three-dimensional trapezoidal front bumper, while deeply recessed fog lamps emphasise the vehicle’s width.

A bold, characteristic line runs along the side, across the doors between the flared front and rear fenders which feature sculpted surfaces that maintains refinement in the midst of toughness. The Fortuner’s rounded upper body is highlighted by a chrome-plated moulding that wraps around from the sides to the back glass.

The overall effect, with the Fortuner’s black pillars and pronounced rear spoiler, is of a floating roof that gives the vehicle a dynamically striking stance even when it’s stationary.