The latest string of changes sees the popular Toyota Fortuner 7-seater given the GR treatment. Gazoo Racing is Toyota's official racing division, enjoying success across a multitude of motorsport disciplines. Their influential approach to their racing efforts can now be enjoyed by the everyday consumer through their range of GR-inspired products, with the Fortuner being the latest candidate for race-inspired upgrades.
The Fortuner fits in the GR-Sport tier, joining the likes of the Hilux GR-S, Land Cruiser 300 GR-S and Corolla Cross GR-S. These models sport suspension and cosmetic enhancements but leave the engine standard, allowing you to enjoy them daily while illustrating your race driver aspirations.
Finally, you get the GR Parts, which offer GR-branded accessories and attire for you and your vehicle.
This new variation on a theme is guaranteed to evoke a renewed interest in a model that has been with us since 2016 in its current guise.
Visual appeal
Cosmetically, the Fortuner GR-S get a sporty new front bumper with unique fog lamp bezels and a sporty, black lower grille adorned with the GR badge. Below this is a black skid plate, while the LED headlight 'eyebrows' are also finished off in gloss black. Around the back, the body-coloured Fortuner lettering is offset by the new, black lower diffuser element, while the rolling stock is a set of anthracite 18-inch GR alloy wheels, shod in all-terrain tyres.
The interior is home to a new set of sports bucket seats emblazoned with the GR logo and contrasting red stitching, trimmed in a leather and suede combination. This treatment is carried to the dashboard and door cards while finishing the trim pieces with a smoked silver and matte carbon effect. The combination meter gets a GR logo and aluminium sport pedals can be found in the footwell. Further accents include a GR start button, a GR insert in the steering wheel and a GR Sport key fob. It's all wrapped up with a GR Sport plaque. You can have the Fortuner GR-Sport in either Attitude Black or Platinum White Pearl.
Performance included
The Fortuner GR-Sport still utilises the same tried-and-tested 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder GD-6 turbo diesel engine, but it has received a power hike to produce 165kW and 550Nm torque, up by 15kW and 50Nm over the standard 2.8GD-6 offerings. It still sends power to all four wheels through a selectable 4×4 drivetrain after passing through a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
The power hike is welcomed and the Fortuner GR-Sport's sprightly nature is no more evident when selecting the Sport setting on the drive modes. The sharpened throttle response and weighted power steering make the Fortuner GR-S eager when the road allows.
Toyota didn't forget about the suspension and upgraded monotube shock-absorbing dampers resting in the corners, giving the Fortuner GR-S a surefooted presence both on and off the road.
Leave a comment