Toyota has introduced its new Hilux at this year’s Geneva Motor show. Available in Single, Extra and Double Cab body styles, the eighth generation Hilux offers a new and stronger ladder chassis, reinforced deck structure, enhanced 4×4 capabilities and an improved towing capacity.
New 2.4-litre D-4D engine
The introduction of a 2.4-litre D-4D Global Diesel (GD) engine featuring Stop/Start combines improved torque delivery in the low and medium speed ranges with improved fuel economy. The 16 valve, DOHC four-cylinder engine is equipped with a variable nozzle turbocharger with intercooler. The 2393cc unit generates 148bhp @ at 3,400rpm, and maximum torque of 400 Nm between 1,600 and 2,000 rpm.
Two-wheel drive Hilux versions are equipped with six-speed manual transmissions, whilst all-wheel drive models offer a choice of six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes. Both transmissions have been revised to improve durability, enhance low-speed driving performance and offer drivers quieter, smoother gear changes whilst realising the full potential of the new engine. All versions achieve a top speed of 170 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.8 (6A/T) or 13.2 (6M/T) seconds. The new 2.4-litre D-4D returns an average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as low as 39.8mpg and 187 g/km.
Driving dynamics & off-road ability
The all-new Hilux features a new ladder-frame chassis offering a 20 per cent increase in torsional rigidity. It is designed to combine improved handling, ride comfort, noise and vibration performance and collision safety and durability.
The tough, durable leaf spring and twin shock absorber rear suspension system has been revised to combine the off-road articulation capabilities with SUV-like ride comfort and handling stability. The vehicle is equipped with a switchable all-wheel drive system featuring a high and low-ratio transfer case, and both front and rear locking limited-slip rear differentials. Acting in combination, the improved low and medium speed torque delivery of the new diesel engine and the increased strength of the new ladder-frame chassis have raised the towing capacity to 3.5 tonnes (for the UK market).
Higher levels of active and passive safety
The new Hilux sees the introduction of Toyota Safety Sense. Processing information provided by a compact, windscreen head-mounted unit housing both a laser and a camera, Toyota Safety Sense offers customers a Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Automatic High Beam (AHB) and Road Sign Assist (RSA) systems.
Exterior design
At 5,335 mm long, 1,855 mm wide and 1,815 mm high, the new Hilux is 75 mm longer, 20 mm wider and 45 mm lower than its predecessor.
The combination of toughness and refinement is expressed in the new front with the sleek styling of a unified upper grille and headlamp design with a deep, powerful bumper housing the large lower grille. The bonnet wraps over the front wheel arches to reinforce the solid, road presence while the second horizontal bar of the upper grille extends into the new headlamp clusters to form a unique Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) signature featuring 12 white LEDs.
Below the bumper, the placement of the fog lamp housings at the bumper extremities reinforces the solid, stable front stance. The lower corners and bottom of the bumper have been shaped to optimise ground clearance under even the most extreme off-road driving conditions. To the sides, the design favours a more seamless transition of the front bumper into the muscular front wheel arches for a more refined appearance.
The new Hilux is available in a choice of five popular base colours, and three new eye-catching colours: Orange Spice, Volcano Red and Hydro Blue.
Interior design
Accessed via a Smart Entry and Start system the all-new Hilux interior combines the durability and functionality required of any working vehicle with SUV levels of refinement, and equipment. The horizontal emphasis of the clean, uncluttered dashboard design incorporates new, cross fin-type air vents with rotary dial adjustment.
The centre console is dominated by the integration of a robust, tablet-like seven-inch touch-screen multimedia system. Operated simply and intuitively using fingertip control, the unit has been moved closer to the front seats for ease of use. A new driver’s instrument binnacle locates large, clear, analogue speedometer and tachometer dials either side of a full-colour 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display. Its content changed quickly and easily via a steering wheel-mounted switch, the display places the most pertinent driving information at the highest position on the screen to minimise the shift in line-of-sight whilst driving. Featuring a horizontal spoke design steering wheel it incorporates reach and rake adjustability, thumb rests, and a thicker, stitched rim to guarantee a comfortable grip for all drivers.
Integral switchgear -including a four-way rocker switch- allows for quick, easy control of the six-speaker audio and multi-information display systems, as well as linked operation of the seven-inch centre console and multi-information displays. In keeping with the more leisure-oriented interior design, the gear lever has been shortened to give a slicker, more passenger car-like shift action. In addition, drive mode selection, including all-wheel drive, is now simply made via adjacent, easy-to-use switches. The premium appearance of the new Hilux interior is reinforced by metallic coated ornamentation to the dashboard, door trim, driver’s instrument binnacle, steering wheel and gear lever bezel. Interior lighting sees the adoption of consistent blue illumination and instrument backlighting throughout.
The black seat upholstery of the new Hilux interior is available in a choice of three finishes. Entry grade models feature a tough, hard-wearing fabric, mid-range feature a high quality, soft-textured durable fabric, while high grade models are upholstered in full leather.
