Yahoo Autos This Is Our First Peek at the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma will offer an i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, the company shared in a teaser Tuesday.
That confirms the biggest change for the upcoming redesign, continuing Toyota's push to offer a hybrid powertrain option for every model by 2025. But it's not the only big change, as the Tacoma is also set to move to the new Tundra's platform. For a truck that has seen few updates over the last two decades, 2024 is shaping up to be a big year.
That new platform should improve the noise, vibration, and harshness of the new truck in addition to helping with crash safety and, we hope, efficiency. The hybrid powertrain will help, too, though it's unclear what exactly it'll look like. In the Tundra, the i-Force Max powertrain features a twin-turbo V-6 with a motor-generator unit sandwiched between the engine and the 10-speed automatic gearbox. That combination is good for 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, figures that might be overkill for the smaller Tacoma.
Even if the Tacoma ditches the turbos, the new powertrain should be a big leap over the ancient 3.5-liter V-6 in the truck now. Hopefully it'll also live up to that engine's legendary reputation for reliability and durability.
It's also unclear whether the i-Force Max will be the only powertrain option. On the Tundra, buyers can get a twin-turbo V-6 without the hybrid system, and Toyota offers plenty of pure-ICE models. For simplicity-minded Tacoma buyers, we wouldn't be surprised to see a conventional powertrain option. But thanks to this teaser image we know the sought-after TRD Pro trim is coming back, and will be offered with the hybrid powertrain. On the off chance that Toyota gives the Tacoma i-Force Max the same powertrain as its bigger brother, the utilitarian Taco may soon take the fight to the Chevy Colorado ZR2. We can dream.
Styling-wise, the teaser shows a tailgate quite similar to the current Tundra's. The blocky, rugged design motif carries over from the larger truck, with chunky black accents providing a stark contrast to the white paint. If you've seen a white Tundra TRD Pro, it's all familiar, and we'd expect the rest of the truck to carry over the styling language. Now that they share the same DNA, they might as well look like a family.
You Might Also Like
