Rumours are pointing to the eighth-generation Toyota Hilux, also known as the Hilux Revo, being replaced – and fast. Just over a week after it was reported that Toyota had trademarked the Hilux Travo name for the next iteration, Headlight Magazine has managed to catch the ninth-generation pick-up truck undergoing testing ahead of its debut in the second half of the year.
Despite still being covered in camouflage, the design does look finalised and appears completely different from the current model. The front end sports slimmer headlights with eyebrow-style daytime running lights, linked by a decorative strip. Below this sits a large rectangular grille, as well as a U-shaped front bumper housing a sizeable air intake and a radar sensor for the adaptive cruise control.
Look closely and you’ll also spot triangular cutouts for the fake corner air intakes, giving this truck some high cheekbones. If you squint, you can sort of see a slight resemblance to the second-gen Mitsubishi Triton facelift, which is not exactly a bad thing.
The rear design is less discernible, but it does appear that the Hilux will mirror its rivals in switching to a more integrated bumper, while the triangular taillights also look to have flipped upside down compared to the previous arrangement.
All these changes mask the fact that the Travo will retain the Revo’s cab and platform, as evidenced by the unchanged centre section, windows, doors, door handles and wing mirrors. This is a similar approach to the one Toyota took with the new XV80 Camry, which is a heavy facelift of the previous XV70. Do, however, expect a redesign of the existing model’s dated dashboard, with a larger infotainment touchscreen almost certainly on the cards, along with possibly a digital instrument display.
Headlight Magazine states that the Hilux is expected to retain the use of 2GD-FTV 2.4 litre and 1GD-FTV 2.8 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engines, albeit tweaked to pass the latest emissions regulations. To that end, the existing available 48-volt mild hybrid system should also be carried over, while new electric power steering should enable more advanced driver assists, including Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, to be added. Could we also finally see an electric Hilux enter production in this generation?
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