Buckle up, folks, because Toyota is brewing up something big in the automotive world, and it’s not your regular cup of joe! Following a rather intriguing roundtable rendezvous in the vibrant city of Johannesburg, Toyota, the automotive juggernaut, dropped a hint about a “Baby Hilux” in the making. If that doesn’t pique your curiosity, we’re not sure what will!
Rumor has it that Toyota is planning to roll back the years and breathe life into their mid-size 1.5-ton wonder, the Toyota Stout. Now, if you’re wondering what in the world a Stout is, let’s take a trip down memory lane.
Image: Kleber Silva
Back to the Future: The Toyota Stout
Picture this: It’s the swinging 60s, and Toyota, the Japanese automotive maestro, decides to drop a bombshell on the American pickup truck scene. Say hello to the Toyota Stout, the granddaddy of all bakkies, and a true pioneer in the world of pickup trucks. The Stout was the OG, the trendsetter, the pick ’em up and go machine, making its grand entrance in 1954. It was a game-changer and set the stage for all the bakkies that followed.
Generations of Glory
The Stout didn’t just make a brief cameo in the automotive world; it was the star of a three-generation saga, with one snazzy facelift thrown in for good measure. It all began with the RK23 pickup, setting the stage for the RK45 in 1960. The grand finale, the RK110, wowed everyone with single and double cab configurations. This old-timer may be smaller than its modern cousin, the Hilux, measuring at 4,674 mm in length, 1,690 mm in width, 1,710 mm in height, and flaunting a wheelbase of 2,800 mm. Powering the third-generation Stout was a water-cooled, inline four-cylinder engine churning out 95 kW @ 5,000 r/min. That’s Stout power!
Back to the Future, Part Deux
So, what’s the buzz around the water cooler now? Word on the street suggests that Toyota is cooking up something more compact than your average Hilux. Is this the resurrection of the legendary Stout? According to the grapevine, this revived Stout might strut its stuff on Toyota’s TNGA-K platform, rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Tundra, Tacoma, and Highlander.
It’s not just about size; it’s what you do with it! The “Baby Stout” is expected to sport an engine that’s already tried and tested in TNGA-K-based models. This pocket rocket will offer both petrol and diesel options, matched with a six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission. Rumor has it; our Digital Editor, Alex Shahini, had a pow-wow with some top dogs from Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM). Stay tuned for more juicy deets!
Tiny Trucks, Big Dreams
If that’s not enough to whet your automotive appetite, Toyota’s got another trick up its sleeve. Earlier this year, they unveiled the Toyota Mobility Concept (TMC), a masterplan to revolutionize mobility. It’s not just a far-fetched dream; whispers suggest Toyota might introduce a compact bakkie riding on a ladder-frame platform. Could it be related to our beloved Stout’s comeback tour? You betcha! This model is expected to have a price tag that’ll make your wallet jump for joy, undercutting the almighty Hilux.
Conclusion: Will the Stout Rise Again?
So, what’s the verdict? Are we on the brink of witnessing the resurrection of the Stout? Well, ladies and gents, it seems like Toyota’s got a few surprises up its sleeve. The stage is set, the engines are revving, and the nostalgia is brewing. With rendered images teasing us with the possibilities, we can only hope that the “Baby Stout” is ready to make its grand entrance once again. Stay tuned, because the road ahead promises to be one heck of an adventurous ride!
