Let’s face it, today’s Tacoma pickup may be almost new, but it can’t really compete with the latest trucks available in North America. That’s why the Japanese car manufacturer plans to introduce a redesigned model in the coming year or two. The workhorse should receive an updated version of the existing body-on-frame chassis which should do two important things for the pickup: shed some weight and enable new powertrain options. The 2019 Toyota Tacoma will not stop there. No, the popular pickup truck should add a few new styling details and better tech.
Tacoma Hybrid
The platform will stay body-on-frame, but it will utilize plenty of lightweight materials. The pickup truck currently offers two engines, bots gasoline. That’s going to change in the near future because the manufacturer prepares two more units. According to Toyota, the 2019 Tacoma will definitely get a hybrid powertrain for the first time. We don’t know anything more precise about it at this point, but the Japanese carmaker is capable to create the impressive hybrid system and we are sure that it’s not going to disappoint.
Tacoma Diesel
As for the second new engine, well, it’s going to be an oil-burner. The 2019 Toyota Tacoma Diesel will feature a familiar engine borrowed from the Hilux truck. The overseas pickup offers two oil-chugging units at the moment, but we are pretty sure that the new Tacoma is not going to use the base 2.4-liter unit because it’s not potent enough for the U.S. needs. On the other hand, the optional 2.8-liter diesel will definitely do the job. At the moment, the unit pumps out 177 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Toyota could upgrade the engine, so it might provide up to 10 percent higher output numbers. If this turns out to be true, the diesel workhorse should be able to tow around 8,000 pounds.
Redesign Changes and New Tech
The 2019 Tacoma will definitely host a few design changes. Still, since it’s relatively new, the truck won’t suffer any dramatic makeover. Instead, the carmaker could add new grille for the diesel and hybrid models, as well as a different exhaust layout for the oil-burner.
Toyota will make some dramatic technology improvements. Every Tacoma version, including the base model, will host far better safety equipment. The standard active safety features will add Toyota Safety Sense-P, which includes automated emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and adaptive cruise control. In addition to that, the redesigned 2019 Tacoma will also get far better infotainment from today’s touchscreen Entune system.
Price
There are no official words about the price of Tacoma hybrid or diesel, but both should start under $30,000.
