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Toyota has confirmed its mid-size pick-up will be coming with hybrid power, but how long before it’s offered in the HiLux remains to be seen.
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma has been teased overnight in the US, confirming the pick-up will be offered with hybrid propulsions.
The next-generation HiLux is expected to share its underpinnings with the new Tacoma – its counterpart in the US, which diverged from the global HiLux in the 2000s to become a larger vehicle – with Toyota consolidating development of the two popular utes.
As reported by Drive in January, the HiLux and Tacoma are thought to share both chassis and electronics, with a larger body for the North American market while Australia’s HiLux may more or less follow the dimensions of the current model.
But despite the teaser images, the Tacoma’s design has already been unveiled in patent images back in January.
While the hybrid has been all but confirmed for the Tacoma, it’s unclear how long Australian buyers will have to wait before a hybrid HiLux arrives in local showrooms.
However, the current model could adopt hybrid technology sooner, as previously reported by Drive, but it may be a “mild-hybrid” system delivering only mild fuel savings.
Reports out of the US claim the new Tacoma – and possibly by extension, the HiLux – is set to adopt a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which in other Toyota and Lexus vehicles develops 205kW and 430Nm.
This engine is expected to form the basis of the hybrid Tacoma, with the assistance of an electric motor to improve performance and cut fuel use.
It is also possible the Tacoma may offer the option of a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 borrowed from the full-size Tundra pick-up sold in the US, which develops 326kW and 790Nm in the Tundra, however it would be likely be detuned if fitted to the Tacoma.
If this was to be offered in the HiLux in Australia, it would allow Toyota to compete against its main rival, the V6-powered Ford Ranger.
The non-hybrid version of the Tundra’s V6 – a version of which is also found in the LandCruiser-based Lexus LX600 luxury SUV – produces 290kW and 649Nm, which compares with the Ford Ranger Raptor that puts out 292kW and 583Nm from its 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6.
The diesel engines likely for Australia are unclear, and whether buyers will be offered a version of the 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 from the LandCruiser 300 Series (227kW/700Nm) alongside a four-cylinder engine.
Curiously, Toyota’s media embargo for the Tacoma teaser lifted at 5:10am in the US – an odd time, suggesting ‘510’ could be referencing something.
Stay tuned for the upcoming debut of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, which will provide even more clues as to what we can expect from the next-generation Toyota HiLux due in 2025.
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