By Toyota officially revealed the mild-hybrid variant of the Fortuner in the South African market. Sharing its mild-hybrid technology with the previously revealed Hilux MHEV, this iteration of the Fortuner brings eco-friendly enhancements to the popular SUV model. Visually, the South African-spec Fortuner MHEV bears resemblance to the Fortuner Legender available in India, albeit with some regional differences.
While India’s Legender variant offers more exterior paint options, including a dual-tone white and black scheme, South Africa’s MHEV version maintains a sleek and modern aesthetic. Under the hood, the Fortuner MHEV is equipped with a 2.8-liter diesel engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system. This combination delivers an extra punch of 16hp and 42Nm, resulting in a total output of 201hp and 500Nm of torque. Notably, Toyota claims the MHEV model boasts a 5 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to its standard diesel counterpart.
Enhancing both performance and efficiency, the Fortuner MHEV comes standard with a 6-speed automatic gearbox and offers both 2WD and 4WD configurations to suit various driving preferences and conditions. Additionally, Toyota has implemented an idle start-stop feature, providing smoother engine restarts and contributing to overall fuel savings. Beyond its hybrid capabilities, the Fortuner MHEV prioritizes safety and convenience with the inclusion of the Toyota Safety Sense ADAS suite and a 360-degree camera.
