Toyota India is gearing up to introduce the next-generation Hilux pickup truck in the Indian market soon. Ahead of its official launch, the company has released another teaser, offering a subtle glimpse of the pickup’s front and rear-end design while keeping most styling details under wraps. At the front, the pickup features a black-coloured grille, along with slimmer LED headlamps, a revised bumper and a skid plate. The side profile is expected to remain largely unchanged, apart from a new alloy wheel design. At the rear, it features a revised tailgate with bold Toyota lettering and redesigned LED tail-lamps.
The ninth-generation Hilux will continue to use Toyota’s IMV ladder-frame architecture, retaining the body-on-frame platform of the outgoing model. Moving inside, the cabin will feature a new dashboard layout with dual 12.3-inch displays, a redesigned steering wheel and an updated centre console with physical controls. Expected features include a 360-degree camera, six airbags, dual-zone climate control, ADAS, powered and ventilated front seats, and more. Talking about the powertrain, it’s expected to be powered by the same 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine which puts out 204 hp and 500 nm torque. Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. It will also get a 4×4 system with a low-range transfer case. The engine is also likely to be paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system, the same setup currently offered on the Fortuner Neo Drive variant. This setup includes a belt-integrated starter generator and a lithium-ion battery to deliver smoother low-speed performance, better fuel efficiency, and quieter engine starts. Furthermore, the hybrid assist system also enables features like regenerative braking and auto start-stop – the latter switching off the engine during idling to save fuel and reduce emissions.
