The EPU concept Toyota showed at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show is heading to production.
That’s according to a report from Motor1’s Argentinian arm, that saw dealer documents from Brazil outlining Toyota’s plans to bring a monocoque ute with hybrid — and potentially electric — power to market in 2027.
Not to be confused with the ASEAN-market HiLux Champ, the EPU will also sit below the ever-popular body-on-frame HiLux. The new ute will be Toyota’s answer to the Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Honda Ridgeline and Ram Rampage.
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About 30cm shorter than a HiLux, the EPU will use a version of Toyota’s TNGA architecture. Motor1 reports it will be the same as the platform underpinning the Corolla Cross, but it is also possible Toyota’s new ute will use the TNGA-K kit seen on larger models such as the RAV4, Camry and Kluger.
The new ute will utilise Toyota’s existing 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder-based hybrid with more punch, rather than the new-generation down-sized turbo-petrol engines. An all-wheel drive version of the ute will be available, but it’s not clear if this is on-demand or a full-time system.
The report says Toyota’s new engine family will be known as 'PHEV-FFV'. It should offer both plug-less and plug-in configurations and run on unleaded petrol or ethanol, as is popular in South America.
It is part of a broader US$2.2 billion investment in Brazil Toyota previously announced. The EPU ute will be produced in Brazil for local consumption, as HiLux is.
Speaking of, news of Toyota’s larger body-on-frame model also recently emerged in Brazil. Rather than an all-new model, the current HiLux is expected to receive a significant update. Diesel will stick around for this project 640X, which is slated for a 2026 release.
As for the Australian arrival of both models, an updated HiLux is certain but the production version of the EPU is not. Since Holden and Ford stopped making car-based utes, the segment has fallen out of favour.
That said, with the Ford Maverick proving a run-away hit in the United States, CarsGuide understands Hyundai is planning to bring the next generation Santa Cruz Tucson-based pick-up to our market.
Plus, with utes making the transition from work-only vehicles to lifestyle ones, the added comfort, passive safety and efficiency of a monocoque construction make this type of vehicle appealing.
Toyota Australia Sales and Marketing boss Sean Hanley previously said the company would put its hand up for the production version of the EPU concept.
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