Toyota is one of the most active automakers right now as they prepare to unleash new, crucial models like the N400 Tacoma in America for the upcoming Japan Mobility Show at the end of the month and also cater to their European interests.
As far as the US market is concerned, everyone eagerly awaits cool stuff like the GR86 Trueno special edition, the 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid dressed in Nightshade, or the 2024 Land Cruiser's return to the region. But, of course, the red carpet's spotlight is focused on the all-new N400 Tacoma mid-size pickup truck best-seller, which is about to start production and first deliveries soon.
Over at home in Japan, Toyota is gearing up for the inaugural edition of the Japan Mobility Show, a reinvented Tokyo Motor Show that seeks to show the world it's not obsolete like other traditional car events. Over there, the Japanese automaker will flaunt lots of BEVs, including the modular Kayoibako concept inspired by shipping containers (!) and the new FT-3e crossover plus FT-Se sports car, among other things. Oh, and let us not forget about the potential 'surprise:' a compact 'Land Hopper' based on the TNGA-F platform of the 2024 Land Cruiser.
Speaking of rugged off-roaders, the Old Continent's Toyota division just revealed the 2024 Hilux GR Sport II, a stylish yet adventurous (with lifted suspension, wider track, all-terrain tires, and glossy black design features) take on the legendary workhorse. Speaking of the iconic mid-size pickup truck, doesn't anyone think the eighth generation should be retired as soon as possible?
After all, the current iteration was revealed in 2015, and already, the much younger Toyota Tacoma is making the switch to the modular TNGA-F platform that also underpins the J300 Land Cruiser, J250 Lexus GX, and Land Cruiser (Prado or 250), XK80 Sequoia, XK70 Tundra, or the J310 Lexus LX with the N400 fourth generation. As such, isn't it time to dream about the ninth iteration of the Hilux?
No worries, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators was quicker to envision the potential next-generation Hilux. Meet PoloTo, which is a distinctively named automotive news video channel on YouTube - and they also share visions of new models created with assistance from AI. Noticeably, they also have an opinion about how the next Hilux should look.
And while it's not necessarily characteristic for Toyota to take significant leaps of faith, this adventurous design project has a bolder style that shouldn't be so easily discarded. On the other hand, these AI-designed creations often lack authentic connections with the models they try to impersonate. So, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder – which means you get to vote: do we give this creation our CGI hall pass or not?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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