TOYOTA North America is ready to exchange the V6 engine in its strong-selling Highlander (Kluger) seven- and eight-seat SUV vary with a brand new 2.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine later this yr.
The MY23 vary will characteristic a better torque I4 instead of the long-serving 3.5-litre V6, offering an extra 17 per cent torque (now 419Nm). Energy is rated at 198kW, 20kW lower than the outmoded engine.
Becoming a member of a raft of adjustments for the 2023 mannequin yr, the T24A-FTS turbocharged engine – which is present in Lexus NX350 fashions domestically – is claimed to supply North American prospects the identical gasoline financial system because the outgoing 2GR-FKS V6 at a manufacturer-estimated 24mpg (9.8.L/100km) however with decrease total CO2 and NOx emissions.
Will probably be provided throughout all variants – and together with two- and all-wheel drive configurations – within the up to date vary and is rated to tow as much as 2200kg (braked), 200kg greater than Australian-spec fashions.
The undersquare Toyota/Lexus T24A-FTS engine displaces 2393cc and combines direct and port injection with a twin-scroll turbocharger to output as much as 205kW at 6000rpm and 430Nm between 1700-3600rpm.
North American consumers are additionally provided the selection of the eFour driveline present in Australian fashions, the A25A-FXS 2.5-litre petrol and twin electrical motor mixture offering 142kW and 242Nm with mixed cycle gasoline financial system of simply 5.6 litres per 100km.
In its house market, the Highlander’s towing capability is rated to 1600kg, 400kg lower than Australian Kluger variants.
At this time limit it’s unknown whether or not the turbocharged Kluger will be a part of the native line-up. Toyota Australia instructed GoAuto that it’s “continuously learning potentialities for car updates to native fashions, together with the Kluger”.
“This fashionable household mannequin has a powerful powertrain providing in Australia, and the demand for our environment friendly and responsive hybrid electrical variant continues to be very sturdy,” a spokesperson mentioned.
“We have now no additional bulletins to make at the moment, however will affirm any future native upgrades for Kluger, together with any new powertrain choices, in the end.”
Regionally, the Toyota Kluger continues to its place towards the sharp finish of the sub-$70K massive SUV phase with year-to-date gross sales of 3054 items – or an 8.1 per cent market share.
The phase is led by the Toyota LandCruiser Prado with 9205 items (24.4 per cent share) forward of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (3360 and eight.9 per cent), Isuzu MU-X (3192 and eight.5 per cent), Mazda CX-9 (2684 and seven.1 per cent), Ford Everest (2654 and seven.0 per cent), Subaru Outback (2447 and 6.5 per cent), Mazda CX-8 (1778 and 4.7 per cent), Hyundai Palisade (1489 and 4.0 per cent) and in tenth place the Kia Sorento (1432 and three.8 per cent).
A brand new-generation Kluger is slated for native showrooms in 2026.
