Toyota reveals more HiLux details

TOYOTA has confirmed its top-selling HiLux light truck will gain anti-lock brakes (ABS) across the range, more workhorse models and an uprated towing capacity on 4x4 variants when the facelifted model arrives in Australian showrooms in September.

Although it is keeping mum on pricing and the full list of changes until closer to launch, Toyota says the revised line-up – which has just gone into production in Thailand – will be “even better value”.

Australia’s number-one vehicle company started ramping up publicity for the HiLux with a media preview ahead of this month’s Australian International Motor Show where it publicly showed the re-styled flagship SR5 4x4 turbo-diesel double cab.

The king of the utes is facing its biggest challenge with the arrival of a wave of fancied new models from rivals, including the all-new Volkswagen Amarok, Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50 and – from early next year – Holden Colorado and Isuzu D-Max.

Between now and September, GoAuto expects Toyota to announce that it will extend the application of electronic stability control (ESC) as standard equipment across the HiLux range, along with traction control, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution to bring it into line with the new contestants.

Currently, the top-spec HiLux SR5 4x4 dual-cab has ESC and ABS, with ABS optional on entry-level WorkMate and mid-range SR models.

Left: Revised HiLux rear shot. Below: Toyota Australia senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner.

Toyota said the braked towing capacity of 4x4 HiLux models will be increased from 2250kg to 2500kg, which is still 500kg short of the 3000kg rating of the Nissan Navara and upcoming Ranger and BT-50.

The media release said HiLux customers would have a greater choice of entry-level variants with new WorkMate models, although it did not say how many models or give details of the specifications.

Currently, the 4x2 WorkMate level is offered in single cab and double cab pick-up forms, leaving the door open for cab-chassis and extra cab options.

Styling changes to the facelifted WorkMate and SR models are yet to be confirmed, with only the SR5 double-cab sighted so far.

That model gets major changes forward of the A-pillar, including a new front bumper, chrome three-bar grille, new twin-element wrap-around headlights, revised mudguard flares and a restyled bonnet with – in turbo-diesel versions – a relocated air scoop.

A newly styled sports bar, clear taillight lenses and updated seat and door trim complete the revisions.

Toyota has sold 700,000 HiLux utes in Australia over three decades, made up of 370,000 4x4s and 330,000 4x2s.

However, the gap between the 4x4 and 4x2 models is growing, with Toyota selling twice as many 4x4s as 4x2s these days.

This year, about one in every four utes sold in Australia has been a HiLux, although the rugged Toyota has slipped a peg, down 13.4 per cent.

Sales of the 4x2 model are down by 21 per cent in a segment down 12.7 per cent, while the 4x4 has slipped 8.6 per cent in a segment up 5.7 per cent.

Nevertheless, the HiLux remains not only Australia's best-selling ute but also the top-selling 4WD.

Last year, HiLux topped the sales charts as the best-selling vehicle in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Toyota Australia senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said HiLux had outsold all other vehicles in monthly sales five times.

"The latest changes will substantially improve the inherent value of HiLux for our customers and further cement its position as one of the country's most reliable and most sought-after vehicles," he said.