Next-gen Toyota Tacoma to preview future Fortuner, Hilux platform

Toyota has released the first teaser of its next-gen Tacoma pickup that will debut in the North American market. For the uninitiated, Tacoma is to North America what the Hilux is to the rest of the world. The all-new iteration of the Tacoma is expected to have an all-new platform, new hybrid powertrains and more tech. Most of it, if not all, is also expected to make it to the next-gen Fortuner and Hilux.

1. Next-gen Tacoma teased ahead of global debut
2. Will be based on new TNGA-F platform
3. Expected to get hybrid powertrain options

New Toyota Tacoma: what is known?

While Toyota has just revealed a teaser showing the basic silhouette of the new pickup truck, images of design patents filed in Brazil have revealed the final looks of the Tacoma already. The next-gen pickup truck from Toyota looks fresh yet familiar with multiple styling cues taken from newer Toyota SUVs and trucks like the Land Cruiser 300, the Sequoia and the Tundra full-size pickup.

It gets small slats beneath the headlamps, rectangular fog lamps integrated in the lower part of the front bumper, strong creases on the hood and fenders, and rugged looking fender flares, among others. It gets a butch look up front, boxy proportions and a large grille finished in contrast black replete with a big Toyota logo. At the back, the bumper design and C-shaped tail-lamps look new as well. The model seen on the patent images seem to be of a specific off road-spec replete with beadlock style alloy wheels and chunky tyres.

New Toyota Tacoma platform, hybrid powertrain to be shared with future Toyotas

While the new Tacoma will not come to India, it will be based on Toyota's advanced TNGA-F platform, which will be carried over to future India-bound Toyota models. 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.

As far as powertrain options go, the new Tacoma is expected to come with a 2.4-litre four cylinder hybrid turbo-petrol engine, which is also seen on a few Lexus and Toyota models. There are chances that this powertrain, with a different power output, will make its way to the next-gen Fortuner and Hilux in some markets, including India.

With the Indian SUV market being dominant, Toyota will continue offering diesel on the next-gen Fortuner. However, the brand will have to offset stringent emission norms and the heavy body-on-frame architecture, and is also expected to offer diesel-hybrid powertrain options on the next-gen SUV.

Expect more details on the new Toyota Tacoma, its hybrid powertrains, TNGA-F platform and its derivatives to be revealed in the coming months.

Will you be interested in opting for a hybrid Toyota Fortuner or Hilux? Let us know in the comments.

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