Toyota has released full details and pictures of the all-new Tacoma pickup truck that will go on sale in the North American market first. The Tacoma is the North American equivalent of the globally popular Hilux pickup that's also on sale in India.
- All-new Tacoma gets new platform, powertrains
- Gets two off road-focused variants
- Will go on sale in North America initially
New Toyota Tacoma design
The new Tacoma gets sweptback, squarish headlamps and a slim LED DRL, a tall front bumper with faux side air vents, a large grille replete with a large Toyota logo in the centre. Lower variants and the Tacoma Sport get more black trim on the nose while the top trims getting additional chrome elements on the front, sides and alloy wheels. It gets a butch look up front with boxy proportions, and at the rear, the bumper design and C-shaped tail-lamps look new as well.
The Tacoma’s rugged variants known as the TRD Pro and the Tacoma Trailhunter get Toyota lettering on the grille instead of the logo. These variants also get unique skid plates up front, LED daytime running lamps placed horizontally, and chunky wheel and tyre set-ups with black or bronze finish, depending on the variant.
New Toyota Tacoma platform
The new Tacoma is based on Toyota's advanced TNGA-F platform that will be carried over to future India-bound Toyota models as well. This new platform has multiple iterations and already underpins the Land Cruiser 300, the Lexus LX500d and even the Tundra pickup.
The next-gen Fortuner and Hilux are also expected to be underpinned by the same platform and will have a lot in common with the version that forms basis of the new Tacoma. It uses high-strength steel throughout the chassis to improve rigidity and aluminum on the upper portion of the body to help reduce weight. The Tacoma gets different suspension tunings depending on variant and usability.
New Toyota Tacoma powertrain
The new Tacoma gets four powertrain options, with the entry-level variants getting a 231hp, 2.4-litre petrol mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Next is line is the same 2.4-litre engine with 274hp that comes with a 6-speed rev matching manual. Automatic gearbox option on the higher output 2.4-litre engine churns out 282hp. The top-of-the-line Tacoma gets a 2.4-litre petrol hybrid engine that gets a 1.9 kW battery and a 48hp electric motor, with a total output is 330hp.
The Tacoma gets RWD as standard with a limited slip differential on lower variants. Four-wheel drive with an electronically controllable transfer case (two-speed) and low range gearing is optional on mid variants, and the top-spec Tacoma model with hybrid powertrain gets full-time four-wheel drive as standard along with a center locking differential.
While the Tacoma will not come to India, there are chances that its hybrid powertrain, with a different power output, will make its way to the next-gen Fortuner and Hilux in some markets, including India.
As diesels still account for a fair share in SUVs in India, Toyota will continue offering a diesel engine on the next-gen Fortuner. However, the brand will have to offset stringent emissions norms and the heavy body-on-frame architecture, and is also expected to offer diesel-hybrid powertrain options on the next-gen SUV.
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