A new global platform lies beneath the camouflage.
We give Toyota credit when it’s due. Toyota has done an excellent job keeping the new Tacoma midsize truck secret. This is the second time that we have seen a test vehicle in public. It’s still well hidden under heavy camouflage.
They are well hidden. TFLnow stumbled upon a fleet Tacomas that were covered from nose to tail as they took a break from mountain testing. We get a close-up view of one prototype as it turns around in an empty lot. It also shows a side exit exhaust similar to the Toyota Tundra. Another prototype is also captured by the camera, which captures a portion that is very similar to the Tundra’s grille. The smaller wheel/tire combination and the cab proportions are Tacoma.
Multiple commenters on the video point out that these are Toyota vehicles. They can be heard making the distinctive locking sound at the 1:13 mark. Other aural clues, such as engine or exhaust sounds, are difficult to hear. The fleet includes a Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and a Chevrolet Suburban. We hear the engine of the Jeep as they leave the lot. This allows for a more detailed look. We don’t get to see what’s underneath the hood.
The engine options available are well-kept secrets at the moment. You can choose between a 2.7-liter four cylinder that produces 159 horsepower (118kilowatts) and a 278-hp (277-kW) 3.5 liter V6. A new turbocharged four cylinder is expected to join the fray. However, it is not clear if it will be joining the existing mills or the Tacoma’s sole powerplant. A strong rumor suggests that the new Taco will be built on Toyota’s TNGAF platform. It is already being used with many models, including the Tundra. The platform will be underpinning Toyota’s global Hilux- and Fortuner vehicles. Aelectric model could also be on the horizon.
The 2016 model-year Tacoma received a facelift and the current generation Tacoma was ready for 2020. We could see the next generation truck in 2023 if we keep this timeframe in mind.