TOYOTA has revealed and introduced full particulars of its fourth-generation Tacoma pick-up truck, a North American equal to the HiLux that gives a heads-up of what the Japanese big has in retailer for its world next-generation ute – together with its appears, inside uplift and the supply of hybrid drivetrains.
In a nod to Australian off-road experience, the hardcore Tacoma Trailhunter variant includes a swathe of high-performance elements from Aussie off-road specialist ARB and its Previous Man Emu suspension subsidiary.
Primarily based on Toyota mannequin cycles, the current-generation HiLux is due for alternative quickly because it was launched right here in 2015.
Because the Tacoma changed HiLux fashions in North America 20 years in the past, each autos have remained roughly the identical measurement and shared a household resemblance, however their underpinnings have diverged and they don’t share drivetrains.
Nevertheless, growing commonality between Tacoma and HiLux is anticipated for this and future generations – particularly as section rivals are leveraging co-development partnerships to take their utes to the following stage of refinement, inside consolation and expertise with out sacrificing off-road potential.
Toyota says its butch-looking new-gen Tacoma is redesigned and engineered from the bottom up, beginning with a brand new high-strength, boxed metal, ladder body that enables quite a few off street options together with redesigned multi-link coil rear suspension.
A turbocharged four-cylinder drivetrain line-up features a top-of-the line hybrid producing 243kW and 630Nm, dubbed i-Drive Max and mentioned to be essentially the most highly effective Tacoma powerplant up to now.
Recognising the Tacoma’s recognition to be used in heavy responsibility off-roading – very similar to its HiLux counterpart – the brand new mannequin introduces a Trailhunter grade produced with Aussie enter that was previewed as an idea ultimately 12 months’s SEMA aftermarket present in Las Vegas.
The Trailhunter is pitched as a purpose-built factory-modified “overlanding rig” comparable in some methods to the regionally fettled HiLux Rugged X mannequin that disappeared final 12 months from Australian Toyota showrooms and shall be succeeded within the third quarter of this 12 months by the GR Sport flagship.
Just like the LandCruiser 300, in addition to the most recent Tundra and Sequoia fashions, the brand new Tacoma is constructed on Toyota’s TNGA-F world truck platform and is underpinned by a brand new laser-welded metal chassis claimed to extend rigidity over the earlier technology and options aluminium on the higher physique to scale back weight.
This has yielded LandCruiser-like off-road aids together with Multi-Terrain Choose with Mud, Dust, and Sand calibrations plus Crawl Management enabling the driving force to concentrate on steering whereas the system maintains considered one of 5 selectable speeds. Vary-topping Restricted variants additionally function a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a centre locking differential when the hybrid driveline is specified.
Inside, new 8.0-inch and 14.0-inch touchscreens run Toyota’s newest multimedia software program and linked applied sciences plus wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and Qi wi-fi gadget charging.
General, the brand new Tacoma inside is much extra trendy and premium, whereas sustaining a chunky and rugged look and sharing shades of its cabin design with the LandCruiser 300 up to date RAV4.
Toyota designers and engineers additional strengthened the Tacoma’s ladder chassis crossmembers to extend sturdiness and carry Toyota’s factory-backed overlanding equipment resembling rooftop tents and camp fridges. A high-lift jack level built-in into the rear of the chassis for off-road restoration functions.
Additional chassis bracing was additionally used for the entrance cross member to solidly help the steering field to yield higher dynamics and steering really feel. A multi-link coil rear suspension set-up can also be obtainable, however leaf springs stay commonplace on SR, SR5 XtraCab and TRD PreRunner grades with every variant having a particular suspension tune.
4-wheel disc brakes make an look on this technology Tacoma and the efficiency grade TRD variants go a step additional with a bigger entrance brake package deal, complemented by bigger rears on hybrids.
The 2024 Tacoma now has an digital parking brake that enables for low-speed radar cruise management and a brake maintain perform along with electrical energy steering to allow the fitment of extra energetic security and driver help tech.
A 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine is on the market in numerous states of tune, with and with out hybrid help.
On entry stage SR grades, it’s good for 170kW and 330Nm whereas on different grades the engine generates 207kW and 430Nm when paired with the brand new eight-speed computerized transmission. An elective six-speed guide with rev-matching perform is restricted to 201kW and 420Nm outputs.
The hybrid pairs the two.4-litre engine with a 35kW electrical motor built-in into the eight-speed transmission and fed by a 1.87kWh NiMH battery pack that creates a complete system output of 243kW and a wholesome 630Nm.
Rear-wheel drive Tacomas function an computerized limited-slip differential and four-wheel-drive fashions have an electronically managed two-speed switch case and an computerized limited-slip differential as commonplace whereas an digital locking rear differential is fitted to TRD PreRunner, TRD Off-Highway, TRD Professional, and Trailhunter grades.
The Tacoma was collaboratively designed at Toyota’s North American-based CALTY Design Centres at Newport Seaside, California and Ann Arbor, Michigan which had been additionally collectively accountable for the brand new Toyota Tundra and Sequoia fashions.
Engineering analysis and improvement was performed at Toyota Technical Centres in Michigan, Arizona, and California.
Enhancements had been made throughout all grades to Tacoma’s off-road functionality, from extreme rock crawling to high-speed desert racing.
Tacoma chief engineer Sheldon Brown mentioned Toyota “strove to offer even larger attribute separation between grades”.
“Every has a particular concentrate on the core attribute and makes use of {hardware}, spec, and performance-based tuning to ship that distinctive expertise extra so than prior to now.”
Toyota group vp and common supervisor Dave Christ mentioned: “With much more off-road functionality and the standard, sturdiness, and reliability that our prospects count on together with a number of choices for each proprietor, we’re assured that Tacoma will stay the best choice for mid-size pickup patrons when it arrives later this 12 months.”
