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Bruce Newton29 Sept 2015
NEWS

HiLux prices up, but so is value

Toyota’s big selling work ute gets a once-in-a-decade makeover

Toyota has increased prices across the board for its new HiLux. Just announced, prices for the eighth generation HiLux utility are up $2000 at base grade but Toyota claims the increases are more than negated by “substantial” increases in equipment and value.

On-sale tomorrow (Tuesday September 29), the launch of the new generation of Australia’s top selling utility and 4WD has been heavily hyped, with Toyota already staging an exterior static reveal, previewing the interior and revealing some range details before getting to the nitty-gritty today.

It has also detailed significant Australian involvement in the test and development of the vehicle, with more than 650,000km of testing conducted here and Australian engineers contributing to suspension, tyres, electronics and underbody protection.

The locally developed and tested suspension package is now standard for “tough” regions including Australia, South America, South Africa, the Middle East and Russia.

The HiLux is the fifth major update to arrive in the highly competitive and popular ute segment in the last few months, following updates to the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50, an overhaul of the Mitsubishi Triton and all-new Nissan Navara.

At the top of the HiLux range, a new flagship 4x4 SR5+ diesel has been added and is $55,990, with the six-speed auto version an extra $2000.

This is still shy of the flagship Wildtrak version of the recently updated PX II Ford Ranger lineup, which is the HiLux’s closest sales competitor. The Ford starts at $57,890 with the auto adding an extra $2200.

At the entry point to the range, the 4x2 Workmate single cab chassis 2.7-litre petrol manual rises in price from $18,990 to $20,990. However, Toyota points out air-conditioning – which was previously a $2050 option – is now standard and there has been an overall $5000 worth of value added to the package.

Toyota’s 31-strong model range is up from 23 models and adds more double cabs, 4x4 and diesel choices, plus the introduction of three 4x2 Hi-Rider variants with the ride-height and heavy-duty suspension of 4x4 vehicles.

There are narrow and wide-body versions as well as single, double and extra cab styles – the latter now providing easier entry to second-row seats by incorporating rear-hinged access doors. The range starts with Workmate and steps up to SR and SR5 grades.

Replacing a vehicle that has been on-sale 10 years, Toyota claims most aspects of the new HiLux are new or significantly updated. Key changes include a stronger ladder frame chassis, stiffer body, higher-torque turbo-diesel engines (including a 2.8-litre that replaces the staple 3.0), new six-speed transmissions, revised suspension and brakes, and expanded off-road ability.

Towing capacity is now up to 3500kg for manuals with the new 2.8-litre turbo-diesel and payloads are up to 1240kg with 23 variants confirmed as genuine one-tonners, including all 4x2 variants and all 4x4 single and extra cabs.

Developed under a chief engineer who previously worked on passenger cars, the new HiLux is claimed to offer a more compliant ride, quieter cabins and higher levels of comfort and convenience with standard air-conditioning, touch-screen display audios, cruise control, more supportive seats and power-operated windows, mirrors and door locks.

Toyota anticipates the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating across the range with a reversing camera on all pick-ups (accessory camera available on cab-chassis models), seven airbags including driver’s knee protection, vehicle stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes with brake assist, and trailer sway control.

The new 2.8-litre turbo-diesel boasts maximum torque of up to 450Nm – a gain of 25 per cent compared with its predecessor. Its 2.4-litre turbo-diesel sibling also generates higher torque of up to 400Nm. At base grade, HiLux is still powered by a 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

The combined fuel consumption claim for the 2.8-litre 4x4 auto SR5 is 8.5L/100km.

All four HiLux engines are now Euro 5 compliant – the quieter, cleaner and more fuel-efficient new turbo diesels, the revised 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol with uprated power, torque and fuel economy, and a more efficient 4.0-litre V6 petrol.

In a claimed world first for a pick-up truck, HiLux SR5 turbo-diesels with the six-speed manual gearbox gain an ‘intelligent’ function. Activated by pushing a button near the gear lever, it produces smoother shifts by more accurately matching engine speed to the transmission for smoother driving.

All automatic HiLux models are fitted with a new six-speed electronically controlled transmission that adopts artificial intelligence and other measures to support both improved performance and economy. The sequential shift mode features blipping downshifts.

Wheels sizes start with bigger 16-inch steel, two 17-inch steel with all-terrain tyres, and 18-inch alloys. All models feature larger ventilated front disc brakes for improved stopping performance.

Workmate seats are now covered in hard-wearing fabric instead of vinyl. This grade features a 6.1-inch touch screen display and an audio system with Bluetooth and two speakers, upgraded in SR double cab variants to a seven-inch touch screen display with Toyota Link connected mobility. SR and SR5 variants have a new air-conditioned box capable of heating or cooling two 600ml bottles.

Top-of-the-line SR5 has digital audio, satellite navigation, full colour 4.2-inch multi-information display, keyless smart entry and start, automatic air-conditioning, chrome door handles, premium steering wheel and shift knob, an alarm, auto-levelling LED headlamps, and silver interior highlights.

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