The new Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Hilux Evo has just undergone its first test, with star driver Giniel de Villiers declaring the two-wheel-drive newcomer “significantly faster over the rough stuff” than its four-wheel-drive predecessor.
The Hilux Evo was put through its paces in the North West, it’s first real-world test ahead of the 2017 edition of the Dakar Rally.
Toyota says this first test was aimed at “validating the design” rather than “developing the vehicle further”. As such, De Villiers and navigator Dirk von Zitzewitz tested the Hilux Evo over a number of types of terrain.
“The new vehicle is significantly faster over the rough stuff,” said De Villiers.
“Granted, it takes some getting used to, and it certainly doesn’t feel the same as the four-wheel-drive. But man, it is quick!”
Toyota Gazoo Racing SA team principal, Glyn Hall, added that he was excited about the new vehicle.
“It is always exciting to put a completely new concept to the test. And the Toyota Hilux Evo is just such a concept. Now that we’ve had a chance to see it in action over terrain that matches certain parts of the Dakar, we are highly encouraged,” said Hall.
“Now that we’ve proven the concept, we’ll go back and refine the vehicle as much as possible. We’ve got a lot of data on the dampers and settings from the four-wheel-drive, so we’re not starting from scratch. With that said, we’ll need a lot more testing before we ship the vehicles off to South America in December,” added Hall.
Toyota says that its crew is in the process of constructing two more Toyota Hilux Evos at the team’s headquarters near Kyalami, with one to be allocated to Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie, and the other to new signings, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Matthieu Baumel.
Buy a Toyota Hilux on South Africa’s most trusted car marketplace.
Toyota Hilux for sale
Used Toyota Hilux for sale
Toyota Hilux for sale in western cape
Toyota Hilux for sale in cape town
Toyota Hilux for sale in johannesburg
Toyota Hilux for sale in kwazulu natal
Toyota Hilux for sale in eastern cape
