Toyota He presented his strategy for midsize pickups, to which the domestically produced Hilux belongs. The news brings new engines, including a hybrid systemchassis and suspension modifications, drivetrains and more safety technology.
The new global platform that the Japanese brand will use is the so-called TNGA-F, it was released with the truck tacomathe equivalent of the Hilux for North American markets.
The new version of the Tacoma has been unveiled in the United States and teases many of the updates that the next generation of the medium truck that Toyota sells in Argentina will have, which is expected to appear between 2024 and 2025.
The Japanese company has been producing the Hilux in our country since 1997 and is currently the model of greater production of local industry (there were almost 140 thousand in 2022) and also the one that exports the most (110 thousand). It is also the best-selling truck in the local market for 18 years.
Total renovation
With the appearance of the new Tacoma, several new features have been revealed that had been speculated about and are sure to be seen in the next generation of the Hilux. Among these, A hybrid driving systempreviously announced by executives of the company’s Argentina branch.
For the North American model, the i-Force Max set has been announced, which has a 2.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine combined with a 48-horsepower electric drive and a 1.87 kWh battery. In total they generate a combined power of 326 horsepower and a torque exceeding 630 Nm.
New petrol engines have also been announced, with the 2.4-litre turbo block, with power ranging from 231 to 278 horsepower. There are currently no announcements of diesel versions that are the ones to think about for the future Hilux, other than a hybrid system.
The transmission systems have also been renewed, with particular emphasis on the new 8-speed automatic gearbox. It will also retain the 6-speed manual options.
Improvements have been announced in the traction systems and the Multi-Terrain Select system has been incorporated, which in addition to allowing the selection of the traditional options of 4×4 high or 4×4 low, offers different driving programs for different surfaces: sand, mud and dirt.
Toyota has also incorporated the possibility of front anti-roll bar disconnect, an alternative that increases flexibility at the push of a button. A solution similar to that offered by Jeep with its Wrangler and Gladiator models, designed to increase off-road capabilities.
Furthermore, the new platform incorporates the possibility of equipping this pick-up with an independent rear suspension system. In the case of the Tacoma, it will be available for top-of-the-range versions.
While the Hilux’s styling is unlikely to be identical to that of the new Tacoma, there are styling cues from the North American model that we’re sure to see in the next generation of the home-built model.
In terms of technology, innovations in the interior appear from two digital screensone as a dashboard and a larger one in the center console for the media center.
In the safety systems, the evolutions appear to be due to the incorporation of Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a package of driving assistance devices, among which stand out the autonomous emergency braking, the adaptive cruise control and the lane keeping system, among the others.
Source: Clarin
Ben Stock is a journalist working for News Rebeat, where he covers the automobile section. With a passion for cars and the industry, Ben brings insightful and in-depth reporting to his readers.
