Small Toyota Fortuner rumours may be linked to baby LandCruiser
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Does Toyota have a second small off-road model in the works? New information out of India suggests a ‘mini’ Fortuner is in development, and it may or may not have something to do with the baby LandCruiser.
A Toyota HiLux Rangga SUV concept has been unveiled in Indonesia, with the platform expected to eventually spawn a new, smaller version of the LandCruiser.
Toyota launched the HiLux Rangga in Indonesia in recent days – also known as the HiLux Champ, a small commercial ute created for developing markets – alongside a concept featuring an SUV body.
Previous reports have said Toyota is currently working on a ‘baby’ LandCruiser to compete against the Suzuki Jimny, sharing the same underpinnings as the HiLux Rangga.
Toyota may name it the ‘LandCruiser FJ’, after trademark filings were uncovered in November 2023 – though other potential names believed to be considered are the Yaris Cruiser and Lite Cruiser.
However, according to Autocar India, the Japanese car maker is now looking to introduce a small off-road model to sit below the Fortuner, designed to compete with the Mahindra Thar – a city-sized four-wheel-drive with Jeep Wrangler-style looks.
According to the new report, the mini Fortuner will use the TNGA-C platform, with a choice of 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines with and without hybrid assistance.
While Autocar India claims the mini Fortuner will be based on an existing ‘TNGA’ platform from Toyota, previous unconfirmed reports out of Japan say the baby LandCruiser will use a ladder-frame chassis – likely borrowed from the HiLux Rangga.
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The latest information suggests Toyota could have two smaller off-road models in development – one for markets such as Japan, Australia, and Europe, and another lower-cost model for developing markets – though the Japanese car giant has yet to make any official announcements.
Curiously, the HiLux Rangga SUV concept has the same ‘step-up’ in the window frame shape at the back doors as the Compact Cruiser EV concept shown in late 2021.
Despite details remaining foggy, all information points to Toyota working on at least one small off-road model, created to steal market share from the popular Suzuki Jimny XL.
The post Small Toyota Fortuner rumours may be linked to baby LandCruiser appeared first on Drive.
