India’s first bulletproof Toyota Fortuner Legender SUV on video

We have all heard about prominent leaders, politicians, and businessmen who travel in bulletproof vehicles within cities. These specialized cars are built upon regular vehicles but undergo numerous customizations to enhance their safety against unforeseen gunshots and explosions, ensuring the well-being of their occupants. Although bulletproof vehicles are commonly created using high-end luxury models like the Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, there is now a Toyota Fortuner Legender that has received the same level of protection.

The video has been uploaded by ‘Turbo Extreme’ on their YouTube channel. It provides a walk-around of the bulletproof Toyota Fortuner Legender, which appears nearly identical to the standard version of the SUV from the outside. However, upon closer inspection of the vehicle, one can uncover the modifications that transform this SUV into a fully bulletproof vehicle, capable of withstanding even small blasts.

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The bulletproof Toyota Fortuner showcases heavier door panels that demand greater force to open and close. These door panels incorporate high-grade fiber sheets within their construction, providing the capability to withstand gun or rifle shots fired at them.

The window panels of the SUV, including those of the front row, second row, and rear quarter glass, have been replaced with thicker, higher-grade glass panels. These fixed-type glass panels are reinforced with blacked-out fiber and rubber surrounds. When closed, they securely attach to foam and rubber bases affixed to the upper edges of the frame. The front windshield is also made of the same thickened glass material.

The bulletproof Toyota Fortuner has undergone significant modifications at the rear. When opening the electric tailgate of the Fortuner Legender, one can observe that the SUV’s cabin is entirely enclosed at the back. A thick metal sheet covers the rear seats and integrates a reinforced glass panel for rearward visibility. Additionally, there is an openable sheet that can be locked and opened to access the cabin from the rear.

It remains unclear whether this modified Toyota Fortuner Legender undergoes any changes to its powertrain and suspension. However, the video presenter mentioned that the modifications incorporated into this altered Fortuner Legender have added approximately 1,500 kg to the SUV’s weight. As a result of this substantial increase in kerb weight, the Fortuner Legender feels noticeably different and heavier to drive and steer.

The Toyota Fortuner is available with both petrol and diesel engine options. However, the Toyota Fortuner Legender is available as a diesel-only SUV, which gets a 2.8-litre four-cylinder 204 PS diesel engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Such modifications to make an SUV a bulletproof vehicle require changes to the structure and mechanics, and this drastically affects the performance and fuel efficiency. The Toyota Legender is available in both 4×2 and 4×4 versions. The regular version of the Fortuner also gets the same engine and gearbox options. The petrol version of the Toyota Fortuner uses a 2.7-litre petrol engine that generates 163 Bhp and 245 Nm of peak torque. The petrol version of the Fortuner is not offered with 4×4. The price for the Toyota Fortuner starts at Rs 32.59 lakh, ex-showroom, and goes up to Rs 50.34 lakh, ex-showroom.

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