It’s honest to say Toyota has a bit occurring. After confirming it has commenced a growth venture for its full sized pickup, the Tundra, in partnership with Walkinshaw Automotive, comes information the Rugged X is on the way in which out, to get replaced by a GR Sport HiLux.
Within the case of the Tundra, its right-hand drive conversion might be accomplished regionally, with prototype testing on public roads to start in September 2022. Ranging from This fall subsequent 12 months, Toyota will deploy roughly 300 of its automobiles throughout Australia.
This types the ultimate stage of the RHD re-engineering program forward of a 2024 launch. These automobiles is not going to be on the market however will contain monitoring beneath actual world utilization circumstances.
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This system will embrace the adoption of key parts from Toyota’s complete world elements catalogue, together with the steering column and rack, accelerator, brake pedals and shift lever from the LandCruiser 300 platform.
The automobiles might be geared up with a brand new inline hybrid system that includes a twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 – essentially the most superior and fuel-efficient powertrain obtainable on this mannequin. Whereas that is thrilling information, and nice progress so far, nothing is assured.
An Australian RHD Tundra faces additional checkpoints in Toyota’s world approval course of earlier than its retail introduction could be confirmed.
On the HiLux entrance, a brand new hardcore halo GR Sport variant, with a heavy off street focus, will debut within the second half of 2023. It should exchange the Rugged X, with Toyota Australia advising additional particulars might be obtainable nearer to its native launch subsequent 12 months.
