Toyota Alabama has started production on its i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbo engine line for the all-new Tacoma. Powered by a previous investment of $222 million, the new line furthers Toyota’s commitment to diversified powertrains that align with customer demand, the company said.

With Tacoma offering a hybrid option, every line at our plant includes engines for hybrid vehicles. It’s our team and their skills that have paved the way for this plant to play a critical role in Toyota’s electrified future.

—Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Alabama

The 2024 Tacoma offers as standard the i-FORCE turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine which produces up to 278 horsepower, 317 lb.-ft. of torque. An available i-FORCE MAX turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain pairs the 2.4-liter engine with a 48-hp electric motor integrated into the eight-speed transmission feeding off a 1.87-kWh NiMH battery pack that creates a total system output of 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque—nearly doubling the torque output of the older truck with the V-6 engine.

When equipped with i-FORCE MAX, Tacoma can ascend an 8% interstate grade without the need to downshift.

Globally, Toyota plans to invest more than $70 billion in vehicle electrification through 2030.

The i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbo engine line marks the plant’s sixth building expansion and brings Toyota Alabama’s total investment to $1.5 billion. In 2023, the plant achieved record production, assembling more than 777,000 engines for Toyota vehicles manufactured in North America. The plant produces four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines for popular Toyota vehicles such as the Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Cross, Tacoma, Highlander, Sienna and RAV4.