Toyota GR Fortuner on the cards

Toyota Australia has refused to rule out a high-performance GR version of its Toyota Fortuner SUV that looks to be in line for the same high-output turbo-diesel V6 powerplant slated for next year’s highly-anticipated LandCruiser 300 Series.

Toyota Motor Corporation is currently putting the final touches on a new V6 turbo-diesel that will replace the current LandCruiser’s 200kW oil-burning V8, and the six-shooter is an odds-on favourite to find its way into a wide array of vehicles including a muscled-up Fortuner seven-seat large SUV.

Asked if the Toyota Fortuner could end up wearing GR (Gazoo Racing) badges and feature powertrain and chassis upgrades, a spokesperson for Toyota Australia stated: “We wouldn’t rule anything out.

“We’re not excluding GR sub-branding from any core model.

“For us locally in Australia, we’ll look at global models, and if it makes sense, we’ll take them.”

Toyota has not officially confirmed the GR Fortuner, which could look like the jacked-up machine posted on the STEDI Instagram page, but the Japanese auto giant has made it clear it will leverage the sought-after GR brand wherever suitable.

This looks likely to also include a twin-turbo petrol V8-powered Toyota GR Tundra pick-up truck in the new-generation series that hits the North American market next year, while the Toyota HiLux ute and C-HR compact SUV are among others believed to be under consideration.

Australia is also studying ‘GR Sport’ variants available in other markets, such as the TRD Toyota Fortuner sold in Thailand (pictured here), which carry chassis modifications and cosmetic enhancements but not necessarily a powertrain upgrade.

“There are GR Sport models available overseas, and we haven’t ruled those out for Australia,” the spokesperson said.

“GR Sport would be more body kit and suspension.”

The Australian-spec Toyota Fortuner was facelifted in August 2020, adding a handful of new safety and tech features along with an upgraded engine – shared with the related HiLux ute – that lifted the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel’s output to 150kW/500Nm.

The anticipated GR Fortuner would certainly be in line for an engine transplant, and the new V6 designed for the all-new LandCruiser 300 Series fits the bill.

It will displace between 3.3 and 3.5 litres and is set to make as much power and torque – if not more – than the current 200 Series LandCruiser’s 200kW/650Nm 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel V8.

Toyota will retire the 1VD-FTV V8 diesel due to ever-tightening emissions regulations, and the smaller size of the V6 engine will allow a wider range of vehicles access to it.

Toyota is investing heavily to establish its GR (Gazoo Racing) high-performance sub-brand, including in Australia where it recently spent $10 million to sell its first batch of 1000 Toyota GR Yaris hot hatches at a super-low price.

While only the Toyota Supra and Yaris have received the full-fat GR treatment to date, this will be expanded soon with an upcoming Corolla hot hatch, the next-gen 86 coupe and Toyota’s million-dollar hypercar in the works.