Toyota has begun work on an all-new rugged SUV that will be positioned as a slightly smaller and affordable alternative to the popular Fortuner. This new SUV is expected to debut globally debut by the end of this year, and go on sale in Thailand first.

1. Rugged SUV to sit below Fortuner
2. Will share platform, powertrains with Fortuner
3. Expected to go on sale in Thailand first

We've exclusively reported last October that Toyota is readying an “affordable Fortuner” SUV. At last year’s Tokyo motor show, president of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific (TMAP) Hao Quoc Tien had hinted that the IMV 0 may not be limited to just pickups, and that there could be an SUV body style just like the Fortuner on the current IMV platform. “That is a different project and we are cooking something right now,” he said.

This new SUV, which could get the Toyota FJ Cruiser or the Land Cruiser FJ name, will share its underpinnings with the Toyota Hilux Champ pickup truck that went on sale in Thailand and Indonesia a few months ago. The IMV 0 has its origins in the IMV project, which built legends like the Hilux, Fortuner and Innova.

The Hilux Champ pickup currently gets a single cab layout with multiple customisation options. However, although the pickup looks quite basic, the boxy design does look quite retro overall. For the SUV, Toyota will continue with the boxy and retro looks with more premium touches, and it will continue to share the 2,750mm wheelbase with the Innova Crysta and Fortuner; so it could get two- and three-row seating layouts.

On the inside, the basic but cleverly designed dashboard from the Hilux Champ will be shared with this new SUV, albeit with upgrades like better material, a larger touchscreen system and more tech.

There are multiple powertrain choices available for this SUV as the IMV 0 platform accomodates diesel engines ranging from 2.4-litre to 2.8-litre, and also petrol engines like the 2.7-litre that currently does duty on the Fortuner in India.

Toyota rugged SUV: will it come to India?

We think this smaller Fortuner SUV can be a good fit for India given the cancellation of the all-new C-SUV (Codename 340D) by Toyota for our market. Also, the investment plan for the third Toyota facility for building this SUV has already been approved; the company is looking at an alternative for the C SUV as reported by us last month.

While there seems to be a business case for an affordable Toyota rugged SUV below the Fortuner in India, it remains to be seen whether Toyota decides to bring this SUV here in the future.

SOURCE