Toyota announced upgrades to its Hilux range as well as a revised product line-up that includes three new additions to the top end of the Hilux range, two of them diesel automatics.The two new diesel models are the 3.0D-4D Raised Body Raider 4X2 Automatic and a 3.0D-4D 4X4 Raider Automatic. The third new Raider model in the range is a 4,0- litre V6 petrol Raised Body Double Cab Raider 4X2 with 5-speed automatic transmission.
With the latest upgrade, the Hilux range is now made up with a choice of 18 models. Ten are single cab and the rest are double cabs – consisting of four specification levels that cover a wide market from basic utility (workhorse), S (advanced safety specification), an added comfort level (SRX) and a luxury specification (Raider). The 2,0-litre, 2,7-litre and 4,0-litre petrol engines and 2,5-litre and 3,0-litre diesel engines are coupled with 4X2 or 4X4 drive systems.
The revisions to the model range also come with a revised exterior styling package and a number of interior improvements as well. Up front sits a new trapezoidal-shaped front grille, with revised headlamp and bumper styling for a more rugged appearance as well as a roof-mounted “bee-sting” radio antenna. For Hiluxes fitted with manual gearboxes, the gearlever has been shortened for improved ergonomics, and steering wheels are now finished with leather covers.
The single-cab line-up offers a choice of a 2,0-litre 16-valve VVT-i petrol engine that develops 100 kW and 182 N.m of torque and a 2,7-litre unit that produces 118 kW and 241 N.m of torque. The diesel options are a 3,0-litre D-4D powerplant with 120 kW and 343 N.m of torque and a 2,5-litre engine in two specification levels – both of which produce 75 kW, but in the normal specification, maximum torque is rated at 200 N.m while 4X4 and raised body models are fitted with a high spec version that produces 260 N.m of torque.
The Hilux workhorse specification is available in single cab configuration only, with the option of either the 2,0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine or the 2,5-litre turbocharged diesel engine mated with a five-speed manual gearbox. Workhorse specification highlights include 15-inch steel wheels covered in 205/70 tyres, front and rear mudflaps, power steering, height-adjustable wheel, 60/40 split front bench seat, tinted windows, dual glove boxes, two drinkholders, immobiliser alarm system and an 80-litre fuel tank.
The S specification adds enhanced safety features to the workhorse spec and includes ABS, driver and passenger air bags, separate front seats and a centre console. With the raised body SRX a rear differential lock, an extra drinkholder, air conditioning, fitted carpets, sliding rear window and an RDS radio with MP3/CD compatibility. The SRX 4X4 adds part time four-wheel drive with shift on the fly 4X4 and an automatic front differential engagement.
The raised body Raider specification offers a full suite of luxury specification items including 25-inch alloys with 255/70 15 tyres, chrome side mirrors, front fog lights, side steps, electric front windows, remote side mirrors, seat belts with pre tensioners and force limiters and remote central locking with selective unlock.
The double-cab line-up consists of eight models in petrol and diesel raised body 4X2 models in Raider specification, and petrol and diesel Raider 4X4 models, including the high-specification 2,5-litre D-4D diesel unit with 75 kW and 260 N.m, the 3,0-litre D-4D diesel engine with 120 kW and 343 N.m, the 2,7-litre VVTi petrol engine with 118kW and 241 N.m and a 4,0-litre V6 petrol engine that produces 175 kW and 376 N.m of torque. Both the diesel units and 2,7-litre petrol unit are standard with five-speed manual gearboxes, though for the first time the 3,0 D-4D is available with a new four-speed automatic transmission. The 4,0-litre V6 comes with a five-speed automatic transmission with standard cruise control – also standard on all 3,0-litre diesel models.
The double-cab Raider specification level includes rear differential lock, 16-inch alloys in 265/70, leather multifunction steering wheel, climate control air con, front-loading CD/MP3 RDS radio, all-round tinted windows, facia-mounted information display, five drink holders, headlamp-on warning buzzer, tailgate mounted high-level stop light, child locks on rear doors, colour-coded front bumper and fenders, chrome side mirrors, front fog lamps, side steps, front and rear electric windows, remote central locking, ABS and driver and passenger front airbags as well as side and curtain shield airbags.
“At Toyota we continually monitor the market for evolving customer requirements. With the rapid advancement of diesel engine technology and the increasing popularity of diesel vehicles in South Africa we identified a high level of customer interest in top-of-the-range diesel powered Double-Cab Hilux derivatives with an automatic transmission. Our research also showed a high level of interest in a petrol 4X2 4.0 V6 Double Cab Raider with automatic transmission,” says Andrew Kirby, Toyota’s Senior Vice President of sales and marketing.
“Our research also indicated a shift in expectations in specification at the lower end of our Single Cab market. Here we found that an enhanced safety specification that included ABS anti-lock brakes and airbag protection for the driver and passenger took preference over luxury specification items included at the SRX specification level. To meet this requirement we have adjusted the model line-up by replacing two of the SRX specification models with an ‘S’ specification level that includes the safety enhancements,” Kirby concludes.
Prices for the new Hilux range:
Single-cab petrol:
Hilux 2,0-litre VVTi R145 800
Hilux 2,0-litre VVTi chassis cab R140 500
Hilux 2,0-litre VVTi S R150 100
Hilux 2,7-litre raised body Raider R210 300
Single-cab diesel:
Hilux 2,5-litre D-4D R167 900
Hilux 2,5-litre D-4D S R172 200
Hilux 2,5-litre D-4D raised body SRX R204 900
Hilux 2,5-litre D-4D 4X4 SRX R246 000
Hilux 2,5-litre D-4D raised body Raider R242 500
Hilux 2,5-litre D-4D 4X4 Raider R283 600
Double-cab petrol:
Hilux 2,7-litre VVTi raised body Raider R269 600
Hilux 4,0-litre VVTi raised body Raider automatic R310 200
Hiluxx 4,0-litre V6 4X4 Raider automatic R370 600
Double-cab diesel:
Hilux 2,5-litre D-4D raised body Raider R280 500
Hilux 3,0-litre D-4D raised body Raider R304 400
Hilux 3,0-litre D-4D raised body Raider automatic R314 400
Hilux 3,0-litre D-4D 4X4 Raider R346 200
Hilux 3,0-litre D-4D 4X4 Raider automatic R356 200
Check out a driving impression of the facelifted Toyota Hilux.
