Latest news with #TNGA
The Drive
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Toyota's Maverick-Fighting Small Pickup Confirmed, ‘Not a Matter of If' but When
The latest car news, reviews, and features. The rugged Toyota Tacoma has stood proud as the best-selling midsize truck in the United States for decades. Now, the company hopes to replicate this success with a smaller, unibody model developed to take the Ford Maverick's lunch money. 'Decisions have been made. The question is when we can slot it in. It's not a matter of 'if,' at this point. We've studied it a lot. We're dedicated to it. We're going to figure out how to make it work,' said Cooper Ericksen, the head of planning and strategy for Toyota's North American division, in an interview with MotorTrend . He added that the truck, whose name hasn't been announced yet, has been in the works for years. It sounds like Toyota has already laid the truck's foundations. The model will ride on a version of the modular TNGA platform found under most of its existing vehicles, to absolutely no one's surprise, it will be offered with hybrid power. Don't let the car-derived bones fool you, however. Toyota stressed that 'small' and 'tough' aren't mutually exclusive. 'If we do this, it is going to be a Toyota truck. It needs to have certain capabilities and attributes and functionality. It needs to be a workhorse,' Ericksen explained. Luckily, Toyota has proven time and again that it knows how to make a dependable small pickup. It's too early to provide pricing, but taking on the Maverick head-to-head will require offering a truck with a Maverick-like base price. For context, Ford's smallest pickup starts at $30,535 including destination, while the cheapest Tacoma will set you back $33,085. We're not discounting the possibility that Toyota will try to undercut the Maverick's price by a not-insignificant margin instead of trying to match it. After all, the brand has high hopes for its entry-level truck: Its data suggests that selling 100,000 to 150,000 units annually isn't far-fetched, and that's only on the American market. Toyota's global presence is much bigger than Ford's, so it could leverage the benefits of economies of scale to bring costs down. Perhaps tellingly, Ericksen said that 'affordability is one of the biggest headwinds' facing the car industry. We'll need to be patient to find out how Toyota envisions a small truck for the 21st century; We won't see the truck in 2025 and we might not see it in 2026, either. 'My hope is that you will see it very soon, but there are a lot of moving pieces,' Ericksen told MotorTrend . He added that Toyota's engineering team currently has its plate full. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Toyota confirms compact pickup truck is coming: Here's what we know so far
Toyota confirms compact pickup truck is coming: Here's what we know so far Long before Ford launched the popular Maverick compact pickup truck in 2021, the advanced product strategy team at Toyota were planning a small truck of their own to slot below the bestselling Toyota Tacoma. Toyota has been here before — the predecessors to the modern Tacoma were truly compact, cheap trucks, as seen above and below — and the paperwork is still all there. Toyota has spent so many years studying the smaller truck that Cooper Ericksen, head of planning and strategy for Toyota Motor North America, jokes that he needs a bumper sticker for his Tundra that says "compact pickup or bust." Toyota is building it The good news: a small truck will happen. 'Decisions have been made. The question is when we can slot it in. It's not a matter of 'if,' at this point,' Ericksen tells MotorTrend. We've studied it a lot. We're dedicated to it. We're going to figure out how to make it work.' Progress has been made. The would-be truck's platform and powertrain are pretty much locked in. It will be unibody construction, using TNGA bits, which underpin virtually all Toyotas, and can use Toyota's hybrid powertrain system. It will be a true Toyota truck, akin to the larger, body-on-frame Tacoma mid-sizer and the full-size Toyota Tundra. 2027 Slate Truck EV: The $20K game-changer in bare-bones electric pickups Toyota's data shows it could sell 100,000 to 150,000 compact trucks a year in the U.S. alone to address the appetite for a more affordable entry-level truck. The bad news: customers have to wait a bit longer. Toyota's engineering resources are stretched to the max right now with 24 new or updated models coming out and a multi-powertrain strategy. With most new models being offered as hybrids, plug-in hybrids, an increasing number of battery electric, and the continued commitment to fuel cell vehicles, each nameplate is akin to engineering multiple new models, Ericksen said. 'Because of all of the need now to completely level up our EV portfolio and at the same time we are developing fifth and sixth generation hybrid systems, it's difficult to find the engineering resources to dedicate to a project like a compact pickup truck,' Ericksen says. 'So bottom line is yes, we have been doing a ton of studying and we're very positive that we have a path forward. It's just trying to figure out, from a timing standpoint, when to slide it in.' Product planners are looking at their various projects to find an opening. 'We're trying to figure out how we can get it done.' 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty first look: Built for Australia, not America It must be done right and be a true Toyota truck. 'When you are late you have the benefit to see what works and what doesn't in the marketplace. I think we've been able to look at the various competitors,' Ericksen says. They have learned from other manufacturers what works and what does not. 'If we do this, it is going to be a Toyota truck. It needs to have certain capabilities and attributes and functionality. It needs to be a workhorse.' But it also must be affordable. 'Affordability is one of the biggest headwinds the industry faces,' Ericksen says. 'Full-size trucks and midsize trucks have really gotten expensive.' There are buyers who don't need Rubicon off-road capability that comes with tradeoffs: Trucks that are heavier and less fuel efficient, making them more expensive overall. (See: the Tacoma TRD Pro, pictured below, which starts at more than $60,000!) A reasonable compromise: SUV-like capability in a truck that is lighter, with a hybrid powertrain for great fuel economy, and a decent bed size to meet the needs of most consumers in a truck that costs less. ... But it's at least a year away We won't see a prototype or concept this year and next year might be too soon, as well, Ericksen says. 'My hope is that you will see it very soon but there are a lot of moving pieces.' There is no timeline for a final decision on a compact pickup right now because there is so much focus on what Toyota is building right now, says David Christ, general manager of the Toyota Division. With so much upheaval in the auto industry that is transitioning to electric vehicles and grappling with tariffs, regulations and uncertainty, annual plans completed before tariffs were announced have to be revisited and updated. The timeline may sound long, but it is not unusual in this segment. While Ford got the Maverick to market quickly, Hyundai had a longer gestation period for the Santa Cruz, and Stellantis wins the prize for long-term promises yet to be kept after at least a decade of trying to figure out how to offer a successor to the midsize Dodge Dakota. That project, it seems, is ongoing.
Japan Today
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Today
Toyota's new RAV4 makes world premiere in Japan
Toyota Motor Corp on Wednesday unveiled its new RAV4 to the world, with plans to launch the model in Japan before the end of FY2025. The RAV4 had its beginnings in 1994, when sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were positioned as off-road vehicles. It pioneered the crossover SUV genre for both on-and off-road driving. Launched in 2019, the fifth-generation RAV4 was developed to further enhance its unique appeal as a model for new lifestyles. It was developed on the concept of a "Robust Accurate Vehicle with 4 Wheel Drive" as a sophisticated blend of the power and utility of an SUV. It also adopted a new platform based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), Toyota's structural innovation within the automobile manufacturing process. It delivered responsive driving performance with maneuverability and stability for any road surface. Toyota said that under the concept of "Life is an Adventure," this sixth-generation RAV4 seeks to become a vehicle that allows any driver to enjoy an active lifestyle. The driving experience has been advanced with a newly developed hybrid system that enhances acceleration. The key to advancing vehicle intelligence is Arene, Toyota's first software development platform. By utilizing Arene, Toyota aims to achieve a greater level of safety and peace of mind, as well as enrich the mobility experience to make the new RAV4 a companion that fits seamlessly into various lifestyles, whether in urban living or outdoor adventures. Source: Toyota Motor Corp © Japan Today
NZ Autocar
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
New Toyota RAV4 unveiled
Toyota has officially unveiled the new sixth-generation RAV4; a comprehensive evolution of the popular mid-size hybrid SUV. First introduced in 1994, the latest iteration combines new styling, improved hybrid technology and software-defined intelligence in a vehicle 'designed to support modern lifestyles'. The new Toyota RAV4 Core The fifth-generation RAV4, launched in 2019, introduced the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform and a refined driving experience. The new sixth-generation RAV4 takes this further. Under the concept of 'Life is an Adventure,' the new Toyota RAV4 debuts a redesigned hybrid system that delivers stronger acceleration. Toyota will introduce the new RAV4 in over 180 countries and regions globally, with its arrival in New Zealand expected in the first half of 2026. Specifications for the New Zealand market will be confirmed closer to launch. New Toyota RAV4 Adventure The new RAV4 will have both PHEV and HEV variants on offer. The PHEV model boasts a newly developed plug-in system, featuring a high-capacity battery and high-output charger, making it the first Toyota to utilise the brand's sixth-generation hybrid system. This setup offers an improved electric-only range of 150km (up from the previous 95km) and benefits from silicon carbide power semiconductors to improve efficiency. Read more 2022 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid review New Toyota RAV4 GR Sport The new RAV4 PHEV delivers 12 per cent more motor output. A newly integrated DC fast-charging system adds further practicality, allowing an 80 per cent charge in approximately 30 minutes. The model also includes vehicle-to-home (V2H) functionality, giving it the ability to act as a backup power supply in a range of domestic scenarios. Meanwhile, Toyota says the HEV version sees substantial improvements in motor output and responsiveness, thanks to enhancements in the transaxle, power control unit, and battery components. The Japanese maker says the result is seamless acceleration and direct driving performance that adds confidence behind the wheel. Visually, the new Toyota RAV4 has an updated design. The exterior has been refined across three main variants: Core : A more urban-focused design that exudes sophistication while maintaining the RAV4's unmistakable rugged stance. : A more urban-focused design that exudes sophistication while maintaining the RAV4's unmistakable rugged stance. Adventure: Built for the outdoors, this version features a widened tread, pronounced grille, and wheel arch mouldings that emphasise its off-road spirit. GR SPORT: Inspired by Toyota's motorsport expertise, this model blends aggressive styling with enhanced suspension and wider tracks, delivering a sportier, more connected drive. At the rear, boot capacity has increased to 749 litres, and when the rear seats are folded flat, the vehicle offers improved storage for longer items. The cabin is said to balance functionality and comfort with a tech-savvy edge. The 'Island Architecture' interior design groups key functions such as displays and gear selectors into visually cohesive zones, reducing driver distraction and increasing usability. Smartphone connectivity has been enhanced with fast-charging USB ports and dedicated wireless charging pads. A new, reversible centre console box doubles as a tray and armrest. Toyota also introduces its next-generation multimedia system in the RAV4, built on the Arene software platform developed by Woven by Toyota. Arene marks Toyota's leap into software-defined vehicles (SDVs), promising to bring zero-accident mobility and more personalised driving experiences. Features include a customisable home screen and improved voice recognition, setting the stage for a more intelligent, responsive driving experience.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Toyota launches exclusive edition of Innova HyCross ZX(O) at ₹32,58,000
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has launched an exclusive edition of the Innova HyCross in the ZX(O) grade, priced at ₹32,58,000 ex-showroom. It will be available from May 2025 through July 2025 in limited quantities and two colours--super white and pearl white. The Innova HyCross, powered by the 5th Generation Self-Charging Strong Hybrid Electric System , made a debut in November 2022. Varinder Wadhwa , Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said 'The Innova HyCross has consistently garnered strong customer appreciation for its proportions & poise of an SUV with the spaciousness of an MPV, and we are truly humbled for their continued trust placed in the brand. Today, we are delighted to launch the Innova HyCross Exclusive Edition in ZX(O), thoughtfully crafted to meet the evolving aspirations of our discerning customers. This special variant embodies Toyota's commitment to exclusivity and elevated customer experience." Design - The exterior features a dual-tone design with black elements. These include the roof, front grill, rear garnish, alloy wheels, and hood emblem. -Additional exterior enhancements include a front under run, front grill garnish, wheel arc moulding, outside rear view mirror (OVRM) garnish, an exclusive badge, rear under run, and rear door chrome lid garnish. -The interior has a dual-tone design, reflected in the instrument panel, door fabric, seat material, and center console lid. -Further interior enhancements include an air purifier, leg room lamp, and wireless charger. -It is built on the advanced Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). Features- -It is equipped with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder gasoline engine and an e-drive sequential shift, and delivers an impressive power output of 137 kW (186 PS). -The hybrid electric system can operate the vehicle up to 60 per cent of the time in electric (EV) mode. This provides a seamless combination of power, efficiency, and environmental consciousness. -It offers class-leading features such as Powered Ottoman Second Row Seats, Front Ventilated Seats, Dual Zone Air Conditioning, and a Panoramic Sunroof. -It also includes Toyota Safety Sense and a connected infotainment experience.
