Toyota HiLux to get burly 690Nm diesel V6

The next-generation Toyota HiLux is almost certain to pack six-cylinder heat when it arrives in 2024.

Although it may be limited to the top-spec GR flagship, an all-new V6 turbo-diesel from Toyota should generate around 230kW of power and 690Nm of torque – enough to give the new Ford Ranger Raptor and its circa-185kW/600Nm 3.0-litre Power Stroke diesel V6 a solid run for its money.

The most torque-laden mid-size ute currently available in Australia is the Volkswagen Amarok 580 range, the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel in which pumps out 200kW/580Nm, while the now-deceased Mercedes-Benz X-Class also came with a 3.0-litre diesel V6, worth 190kW/550Nm.

But both those six-cylinder oil-burners will be eclipsed by Toyota’s beefy new 3.3-litre V6 turbo-diesel, which will make its global debut in August under broad bonnet of the highly-anticipated LandCruiser 300 Series.

Its expected 690Nm of torque should crush the upcoming Ford Ranger diesel V6’s circa-600Nm of torque and pretty much all other models.

While the mainstay of the next-gen HiLux fleet is expected to remain four-cylinder turbo-diesel power, the potent new V6 may be offered in single- and twin-turbo guises and could also find its way into the new generation Prado, which is not due until 2024 too.

The new V6 is not compatible with – and arrives too late in the model cycle for – either the current HiLux (pictured) or Prado, and given their launches are at least three years away, their rivals can be expected to turn up the heat in the meantime.

Either way, the new six-cylinder diesel is going to deliver a big performance boost compared to the current 150kW/500Nm outputs of the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that powers the existing HiLux, Prado and Fortuner.

The top-spec HiLux V6 engine could also lead to a higher towing capacity, but that hasn’t stopped Toyota Australia working on a business case to bring the new-generation Tundra pick-up Down Under. The new full-size US pick-up is set to debut later this year in North America.

As well as the potent new diesel V6, the all-new Toyota GR HiLux will also bring hard-core desert-duelling capabilities to the table.

Toyota has previously stated it wants to leverage the learnings of its Dakar Rally-winning HiLux race truck by injecting them into a HiLux GR model, which would need to include significant chassis upgrades to compete with the next Ranger Raptor.

An increased ride height, stronger shock absorbers and softer springs along with underbody armour are all expected to eventuate.

A six-cylinder engine will almost certainly be a pre-requisite for the next-gen Toyota GR HiLux hero model as the battle for sales supremacy in the dual-cab 4x4 ute segment intensifies globally.

The next Aussie-developed Ford Ranger, which is set to debut later this year before arriving here in early 2022, will bring its own big guns to the table with V6 firepower.

In some markets, such as North America, the all-new Ford Ranger Raptor will be offered with a petrol V6 – most likely a 2.7-litre twin-turbo unit producing around 230kW and 540Nm.

It’s not yet whether the new Ranger’s twin-under-the-skin, the second-generation Volkswagen Amarok, will be available in ‘Raptor-spec’.

Expect more dual-cab utes to follow suit with more powerful six-cylinder engines, including Hyundai and Kia, which both have access to a new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline six worth 205kW/588Nm.

Hybrid and pure-electric one-tonne dual-cab utes will also begin filtering in from mid-way through the decade.

Toyota has promised to electrify every model in its range by 2025 and the new Ford Ranger is also expected to eventually offer a hybrid powertrain option.