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, which offers a sneak peek at the pickup’s front and rear design while keeping most of the styling details under wraps. At the front, the pickup has a black-colored grille, along with slimmer LED headlamps, a revised bumper and a skid plate. The side profile is expected to remain unchanged, except for a new alloy wheel design. At the rear, there is 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 outgoing model’s body-on-frame platform. Moving inside, the cabin will feature a new dashboard layout with dual 12.3-inch displays, a redesigned steering wheel and an updated center 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 is expected to be powered by the same 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine that churns out 204 hp and 500 nm of 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 can also be mated to a 48V mild-hybrid system, the same setup currently offered in the Fortuner Neo Drive variant. This setup includes a belt-integrated starter generator and a lithium-ion battery to provide smoother low-speed performance, better fuel efficiency, and quieter engine starts. In addition, the hybrid assist system also enables features such as regenerative braking and auto start-stop – the later shutdown of the engine during idling to save fuel and reduce emissions.