Toyota SA drops 2,7-litre petrol engine into Hilux single-cab…

Toyota South Africa Motors has quietly added a new derivative to its local Hilux range, now offering the single-cab version of its bakkie in 2,7-litre petrol flavour.

Before now, the single-cab Hilux was available in 2,0-litre petrol form (with 102 kW and 183 N.m) as well as 2,4-litre and 2,8-litre turbodiesel guise.

But the thirteenth and latest variant in the single-cab line-up draws its urge from the Japanese firm’s familiar 2,7-litre petrol unit. As it does in the Fortuner and Hilux double-cab models with the same heart, the naturally aspirated mill here makes 122 kW and 245 N.m.

In this case, it sends its oomph to the rear axle via a five-speed manual gearbox, resulting in a claimed 12,1-second sprint to 100 km/h and a top speed of 180 km/h (not that such figures matter very much in a workhorse bakkie). Braking towing capacity comes in at 2 500 kg while ground clearance is some 269 mm.

Officially dubbed the Hilux 2,7 VVTi RB S single-cab, the newcomer is priced at R370 000. Standard features include manual air-conditioning, a two-speaker audio system, three airbags, ABS with EBD and 17-inch alloys (wrapped in 265/65 R17 rubber). A nine-service/90 000 km plan is included, along with the standard three-year/100 000 km warranty.

Toyota SA Motors also recently added the GR-Sport and Legend 50 derivatives to its local range of Hilux bakkies.