Preview of next Hilux starts as Toyota teases all-new Tacoma

The discovery of patent images showing the all-new Toyota Tacoma in January has now been supplemented by a single teaser image provided by the Japanese automaker’s North American division this past weekend.

Depicting the silhouette against a setting sun, the teaser fails to provide much in the way of exact details, but it’s release all but confirms an imminent arrival within the coming months.

Known so far

As indicated by the patent images, the North American sibling of the Toyota Hilux borrows visual hints of the senior Tundra, and as is known by now, will move to the body-on-frame TNGA-F platform that underpins the Land Cruiser 300, Sequoia, Lexus LX and from later this year, the all-new Fortuner, Land Cruiser Prado, 4Runner and of course, the new Hilux itself.

Hybrid power

Tipped to also have Tundra and Sequoia influences inside, the Tacoma’s biggest change from the current model will be a change in engine options from the current 4.0-litre V6, to two versions of the 2.4-litre petrol-turbo T24A-FTS unit used in the Lexus NX and RX, the Toyota Crown, Highlander/Kluger and Grand Highlander.

Leaving the twin of the Nissan Navara, the Frontier, as well as the Jeep Gladiator as the only “compact trucks” in the States to have six-cylinder engines, the forced assisted four-cylinder will reportedly come in two states of tune; 205kW/430Nm and a combined 273 kW in hybrid form.

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Hilux set to remain diesel powered

While the Tacoma is not expected to offer a diesel engine, it’s platform stablemate, the Hilux will and while reports have alleged a reveal date in 2025, the styling of the former is anticipated to influence South Africa’s best-selling new vehicle similar to what the Ford has done with the F-150-inspired new Ranger.

The shared platform and design influence comes on the back of MotorTrend reporting in 2021 that the Hilux will be aligned closer to the Tacoma for the first time since 1995 after the former, then simply known as the Toyota Pick-Up, departed the States for the market developed Tacoma.

Similar to its sibling though, the Hilux will also head the hybrid route, but with the assistance of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system working in conjunction with the 2.8 GD-6 oil-burner.

A configuration set to debut for the first time later this year in the next generation Fortuner, the setup is also rumoured for the incoming new Prado and will result in the Hilux adhering to the Toyota’s decision of offering hybrid motivation across its entire global range by 2025.

Tacoma launching soon

At is stands, the Hilux preview that is Tacoma hasn’t had its launch date officially revealed, but with the teaser image now out, expect Toyota North America to release more details within the next few weeks and months.

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