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Carsales Staff24 Apr 2020
NEWS

Angrier new look for Toyota HiLux leaked

But will Australia’s top-selling vehicle really look as bold as this when it arrives in coming months?

First images and details of what appear to be the upgraded 2021 Toyota HiLux have been leaked by a Dubai-based website, Milele Motors.

Originally due to roll into local showrooms in late July, the substantial midlife makeover for Australia’s most popular new vehicle was expected to bring a host of cosmetic and technical upgrades.

But if these computer-generated images show the real-deal, the 2021 Toyota HiLux will bring an all-new front-end look courtesy of redesigned headlights, chunkier bumpers and bold H-pattern grilles.

The most significant upgrade for the top-selling ute range since the current Toyota HiLux was launched here in mid-2015 – and likely until it’s replaced in 2024 – will also bring new-look tail-lights.

However, the renderings you see here are reportedly inspired by confidential internal illustrations of potential designs for the HiLux’s major midlife makeover, so we expect the final design – which should be revealed in coming weeks – to be toned down.

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It’s not known exactly when the updated HiLux will arrive Down Under following the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak, but carsales understands it could now be launched as late as November.

Aside from the bold new nose and fresh front/rear lighting, which brings the mid-size pick-up into line with its US twin the Tacoma, the new model’s exterior continues unchanged with the same sheet metal.

Interior and technology changes are not yet known, but we expect Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity to finally join the model’s infotainment system.

More importantly for many, incremental increases in outputs are also expected for the ute’s 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which currently produces 130kW/420Nm in manual form.

Automatic versions increase that torque figure to 450Nm, yet come with a lower 3200kg towing capacity in 4x4 form, so it remains to be seen whether the most popular HiLux transmission matches the manual (and its key rivals) with a 3500kg tow rating.

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Almost certain to eventuate, however, is a fix for the problematic diesel particulate filter (DPF) in the HiLux’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel.

The same engine powers a quarter of a million Australian vehicles built over the past five years, including the Prado and Fortuner, and is subject to a class action by owners who say faulty DPFs have led to power loss and increased fuel consumption.

There are other reasons Toyota Australia is keen to land an improved HiLux as soon as possible. Although it’s been the nation’s top-selling new vehicle bar none for the past four years, the Ford Ranger continues to outsell the HiLux when it comes to more lucrative 4x4 models.

And before an all-new Ranger arrives next year (alongside a redesigned Mitsubishi Triton and followed by the new Volkswagen Amarok in 2022), the HiLux will also face stiff competition in 2020 from other all-new utes like the Isuzu D-MAX, GWM P-Series and Mazda BT-50.

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Written byCarsales Staff
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