By The situation in the luxury truck segment is warming up. Well, there is no such class in the automotive industry. Yet. But, according to rumors and hints, soon we will have a more crowded situation here. Mercedes-Benz is already making a partnership with Nissan and builds X-Class truck. Soon, Audi and BMW responded with their actions. Nissan’s premium branch, Infiniti, will be in good position to launch a vehicle to the pickup segment. The same we expect from one of its archrivals Toyota. The 2020 Lexus Pickup Truck could become the reality really soon with good foundations in Toyota Tacoma and Lexus LX SUV.
Well, the current premium segment in the truck market offers only GMC Canyon Denali model. The 2020 Lexus Pickup Truck could be there soon after the X-Class hits the dealerships. Toyota can upgrade its Tacoma with premium features and equipment and make it posh. On the other hand, the company will use the same design language as for its premium crossover and SUV lineups. Spindle grille and larger wheels, with the extra-comfortable interior, can’t be in doubt. On the other hand, the price won’t be anywhere close to its stablemate – Toyota Tacoma.
2020 Lexus Pickup Truck Concept
The 2020 Lexus Pickup Truck will use the same platform as Toyota Tacoma, that is for sure. It would cost the Japanese carmaker too much to build the new ladder frame. So, the Lexus truck can come with similar dimensions as its sibling. In its third generation, the pickup is 212 inches long with a 127-inch wheelbase. However, the premium version of the vehicle is not going to use the Access cab configuration. The double cabin offers more comfort and the towing is not a priority for the 2020 Lexus Truck. So, the short bed will fulfill the needs of its future owners.
On the other hand, it is hard to believe that Toyota will make its premium truck sportier by building it on the unibody platform. Well, all its large SUVs are using a ladder frame as the base, so we can’t find an example of what would the 2020 Lexus Pickup Truck look like if it goes after unibody concept. However, the advantages of such architecture are higher safety level, better driving and handling skills, lighter body, and with it more efficient fuel economy.
2020 Lexus Pickup Truck Equipment
Exterior and interior of the 2020 Lexus Pickup Truck will be combinations of two classes – standard and premium. The body will be based on the Toyota Tacoma. Well, this is not a hard choice to make. But, details, such as bumpers and grille, will be much more like on other Lexus vehicles. Spindle grille is going to be the highlight of the front fascia.
Inside the cabin, the 2020 Lexus Pickup Truck will take a lot from the LX SUV. Well, the layout will come from Toyota Tacoma, with four-door five-seat configuration. Everything else comes from the premium brand. Leather seats and steering wheel, advanced infotainment, and safety features, and much more could be borrowed from there.
Rear seat infotainment with all its commands is a great add-on. Still, buyers will get a 12-inch display as the standard equipment. Navigation and Remote Touch Control are taking too much attention. Lexus must fix this to improve the safety. Talking about it, there are parking sensors, blind spot monitoring system, and automatic braking. A nine-speaker audio could get a big upgrade through extra packages with Mark-Levinson 19-speaker surround system.
2020 Lexus Pickup Truck Specs
The 2020 Lexus Pickup Truck will belong to the mid-size segment. That means the vehicle can’t borrow the engine from its SUV sibling. Well, in that case, that would be the LX turned into a truck. Instead, the Lexus Truck is getting the power from the same units as Toyota Tacoma.
Well, a four-cylinder drivetrain could be dropped. It delivers 160 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. Buyers of the luxury pickup would seek for the premium powertrain, not only equipment. So, a V6 is a safe bet. It is a 3.5-liter V6 unit that creates 280 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission will be the only option, although Tacoma is offering a manual gearbox. On the other hand, it will distribute power either to two or all wheels.
Diesel
For a long time, we are listening rumors about the diesel engine for the Toyota Tacoma. After the announcement that the 2019 version is not getting it again, we can’t imagine the truck without it in 2020. Well, the arrival of the Ranger could speed up the development. Especially with Ford’s plans to bring the diesel engine for its mid-size pickup.
So, there are three options for the 2020 Lexus Pickup Truck. This model can use a 3.0-liter engine that produces 180 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. However, the most likely solution is a 2.8-liter turbodiesel with 160 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Toyota Hilux is using this drivetrain. However, the company needs to tune it slightly to meet US efficiency and emission standards. The same expects a D-4D 2.4-l four-pot powertrain if it becomes the choice.
2020 Lexus Pickup Truck TRD Pro Package
Excitements with Toyota never stop. The 2020 Lexus Pickup Truck could also inherit a TRD Pro package from its sibling. This suite of features is making the Tacoma one of the most off-road capable vehicle in the world. Special setup of suspension, shocks, and brakes will help driver solve any obstacle. However, we don’t know if the Japanese carmaker would be interested in combining utility and luxury at this level. That will make Lexus truck unreasonably expensive. Well, if they are doing so with Land Cruiser, why they wouldn’t make the similar experiment with the premium pickup.
2020 Lexus Pickup Truck Release Date, Price
Speculations about the release date are saying that 2020 Lexus Pickup Truck could be a prototype. The new model will be available late next year at some big car show in the US. Well, this market is the biggest for these kinds of vehicles. The price will start beyond the most expensive Tacoma version, TRD Pro. In the matter of fact, we believe the 2020 Lexus Truck could cost over $50,000 with all these upgrades.
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