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7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
2026 Toyota HiLux: Redesigned interior revealed in leaked patent diagrams
The heavily updated Toyota HiLux will supposedly launch by the end of the year, and these patent diagrams give us our first glimpse of the interior. We found these images on the cars_secrets Instagram account, which claims they are from a patent filing. These patent sketches match with recent spy photos showing that the 'new' HiLux is actually just an upgraded version of today's ute, but with a new front and rear. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. What we see for the first time is the HiLux's interior, which looks as though it will be a nicer and more modern place to be. The dashboard and centre console are all new, and in the centre of the dashboard is a widescreen infotainment display, likely the same 12.3-inch unit fitted to many recent Toyotas. It's possible lower-spec versions of the HiLux will have a smaller screen in the same spot. Below are the central vents and climate controls, although the patent images image give no clue as to whether it will have physical or capacitive controls. The set of vents and switches used in the LandCruiser Prado would fit in well with this HiLux's dash design, though. In the centre tunnel there's a chunky gear shifter, and what might be a set of drive toggles beside it. We can't see a hand brake anywhere, so it's likely to have been replaced by an electronic switch or maybe it's obscured by the centre arm rest. There seem to be cupholder slots in front of each side vent. Like the current HiLux there's a second covered storage area on top of the glove box. Back to the exterior, which features carry-over doors and roof. There is, however, a new front end with slim headlights, while at the rear the tail-lights wrap around further into the flanks. The model pictured here has slim, angular plastic wheel arch protectors, but judging from earlier spy photos, these won't be present on all model trims. Underneath it all is the IMV platform, which dates back to 2004. This will disappoint those looking for a more modern Toyota ute, and are unwilling to move to the US for such a privilege. The latest versions of the Tacoma, as well as the larger Tundra that's re-manufactured locally in right-hand drive, both ride on the TNGA-F body-on-frame architecture that also does duty under the latest LandCruiser and LandCruiser Prado, as well as their Lexus siblings. This means it's less likely the new HiLux will feature some of the more interesting power plants available in those cars. The Tacoma, for example, is available with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine available in three outputs: 170kW/329Nm, 201kW/420Nm, and 207kW/430Nm. There's also a hybrid version making 243kW/630Nm. And for those who want to dream a little bigger, the Tundra is sold with a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol making 260kW/549Nm or 290kW/650Nm, as well as a hybridised version pumping out 326kW and 790Nm. By comparison, local versions of the current HiLux are available with 2.4- and 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engines, topping out with the 150kW/500Nm V-Active mild-hybrid and the GR Sport's 165kW/550Nm. The sole petrol offering here is a 122kW/245Nm 2.7-litre four-cylinder. The 235kW/376Nm 4.0-litre V6 sold in the Middle East isn't no longer available Down Under.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
2026 Toyota HiLux: Redesigned interior revealed in leaked patent diagrams
The heavily updated Toyota HiLux will supposedly launch by the end of the year, and these patent diagrams give us our first glimpse of the interior. We found these images on the cars_secrets Instagram account, which claims they are from a patent filing. These patent sketches match with recent spy photos showing that the 'new' HiLux is actually just an upgraded version of today's ute, but with a new front and rear. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert What we see for the first time is the HiLux's interior, which looks as though it will be a nicer and more modern place to be. The dashboard and centre console are all new, and in the centre of the dashboard is a widescreen infotainment display, likely the same 12.3-inch unit fitted to many recent Toyotas. It's possible lower-spec versions of the HiLux will have a smaller screen in the same spot. Below are the central vents and climate controls, although the patent images image give no clue as to whether it will have physical or capacitive controls. The set of vents and switches used in the LandCruiser Prado would fit in well with this HiLux's dash design, though. In the centre tunnel there's a chunky gear shifter, and what might be a set of drive toggles beside it. We can't see a hand brake anywhere, so it's likely to have been replaced by an electronic switch or maybe it's obscured by the centre arm rest. There seem to be cupholder slots in front of each side vent. Like the current HiLux there's a second covered storage area on top of the glove box. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Back to the exterior, which features carry-over doors and roof. There is, however, a new front end with slim headlights, while at the rear the tail-lights wrap around further into the flanks. The model pictured here has slim, angular plastic wheel arch protectors, but judging from earlier spy photos, these won't be present on all model trims. Underneath it all is the IMV platform, which dates back to 2004. This will disappoint those looking for a more modern Toyota ute, and are unwilling to move to the US for such a privilege. The latest versions of the Tacoma, as well as the larger Tundra that's re-manufactured locally in right-hand drive, both ride on the TNGA-F body-on-frame architecture that also does duty under the latest LandCruiser and LandCruiser Prado, as well as their Lexus siblings. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert This means it's less likely the new HiLux will feature some of the more interesting power plants available in those cars. The Tacoma, for example, is available with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine available in three outputs: 170kW/329Nm, 201kW/420Nm, and 207kW/430Nm. There's also a hybrid version making 243kW/630Nm. And for those who want to dream a little bigger, the Tundra is sold with a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol making 260kW/549Nm or 290kW/650Nm, as well as a hybridised version pumping out 326kW and 790Nm. By comparison, local versions of the current HiLux are available with 2.4- and 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engines, topping out with the 150kW/500Nm V-Active mild-hybrid and the GR Sport's 165kW/550Nm. The sole petrol offering here is a 122kW/245Nm 2.7-litre four-cylinder. The 235kW/376Nm 4.0-litre V6 sold in the Middle East isn't no longer available Down Under. MORE: Everything Toyota HiLux
7NEWS
16 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Hyundai Australia delays decision on its first ute
Hyundai Australia has walked back its promise to finalise plans for its first ute by the end of 2025, delaying the decision due to tariffs and shifting market demand. Back in May, Hyundai's local chief Don Romano told CarExpert the Korean automaker would lock down plans for a new mid-size ute to rival the top-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in both Australia and overseas markets by the end of this year. However, the Hyundai Australia CEO was more circumspect when quizzed on the brand's new pickup at the recent launch of the Ioniq 9 large electric SUV, citing a decline in demand for utes Down Under. 'Right now we see a decline in the total ute sales, and that could delay development,' said Mr Romano, who previously said a diesel ute based on the new Kia Tasman was less preferable than an all-new model with hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or battery-electric (EV) power. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Above: 2020 concept render 'I don't think the world needs another diesel ute… so we want to look at different options. And if that takes an extra year, that's worth the time. 'I can't tell you whether that's a PHEV, an HEV or a BEV, but I think those are options that have to be considered. 'Look at what the [BYD] Shark 6 [PHEV ute] has done. Look at what they've sold in the last three months compared to Hilux and Ranger … it's almost unit for unit. So it does say that there is a market for a different technology out there, and that's been our position.' In Australia, sales of mainstream four-wheel drive utes (108,105 units) were actually up 0.1 per cent this year to the end of June, although 4×2 ute sales (11,613) were down 16.9 per cent. Mr Romano also pointed to uncertainty around trade tariffs as a reason for Hyundai's hesitance to commit to a new ute for global markets. 'The delay right now that we have is not knowing what's going on with the tariffs in the world right now. So yes, there could be a further delay,' he explained. 'We've seen an agreement struck with Japan, with the US and Japan, with the US and Europe, all agreements have been struck. 'We do not have an agreement with South Korea and the US, so that's going to have ripple effects across the globe for us if not resolved relatively soon. 'There's a lot of issues at play right now with our company on a global basis that are going to have to be resolved before I can say definitively I think we'll have this resolved in X number of months or years.' Since we spoke with Mr Romano, the US has come to a trade agreement with South Korea that will see goods (including cars) imported from the US to South Korea slapped with a 15 per cent tariff – lower than the 25 per cent originally threatened by US President Donald Trump. Despite the latest round of setbacks, Mr Romano says 'there's wiggle room' in the timeline for Hyundai's new ute to arrive in Australia by 2029, as originally planned. And Hyundai remains committed to the development of a new mid-size pickup to tackle some of Australia's and the world's most popular vehicles. 'We're working at full speed on this,' concluded Mr Romano. 'We want to get the tariff issue resolved, but ute is right under it. And not just for Australia. 'When people look at and say, 'is that really an important segment that we need to be in?' The answer is yeah, we do.' Several options are still on the table at Hyundai HQ. A battery-electric ute is already in development, and its likelihood of being sold in Australia was bolstered by a trademark filing for the Ioniq T10 nameplate here last year. Hyundai already sells the petrol-powered Santa Cruz 'lifestyle' dual-cab (pictured above) – based on the Tucson mid-size SUV – in the US, but it hasn't been earmarked for right-hand drive production thus far. There's also the possibility of a ute born out of the new partnership between Hyundai and GM. However, Hyundai has now ruled out a re-skinned version of the turbo-diesel Kia Tasman, which was officially launched in Australia a fortnight ago.
