New pickup truck will have a global platform and 330 hp hybrid engine to occupy the top of the range in South America
Toyota has begun preparations to manufacture an unprecedented pickup, larger than the Hilux, at its unit in Zárate, Argentina, according to the website A Rodar Post. Scheduled to be launched in the first quarter of 2028, the project uses the global TNGA-F platform and is already in the component quotation phase with local suppliers.
Although the official name is still kept confidential, the technical drawings indicate a close relationship with the new generation of the North American Toyota Tacoma. The strategy signals that the regional market will receive a utility vehicle with refinement and dimensions superior to the current standards of the medium segment.
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To distance itself from the Hilux in terms of performance, the new pickup will bet on high-performance mechanical assemblies. The i-Force line will feature a 2.4 turbo gasoline engine capable of delivering 281 hp. However, the highlight will be the top-of-the-line version equipped with the i-Force Max hybrid system: the combination of the turbo engine and an electric motor results in 330 hp of power and torque of 64.3 kgfm, managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission.
About 5.41 meters long, the vehicle will have multilink rear suspension with coil springs, prioritizing comfort and stability on highways, differentiating itself from traditional spring beams aimed at heavy work.
The schedule calls for final approval from the Japanese parent company by February 2026. It is worth noting that the novelty does not replace the Hilux; The traditional pickup will gain a new generation in 2027, and both models will coexist in the catalog, meeting different consumption and cargo profiles.
