The first new Hilux pickup models started to roll off the assembly line at the Toyota South Africa Motors plant (TSAM), in Durban, earlier this month. Exports, mainly to Europe, will kick off shortly.

The new Hillux will seek to duplicate the success of its predecessor, also built in South Africa, which was crowned the country’s most popular vehicle – passenger cars included – in 2015, with sales of 35 684 units.

The first Hilux bakkie made its debut in 1969.

The Hilux serves as a business partner and as leisure transport for the family, says TSAM sales and marketing senior VP Calvyn Hamman.

Customers no longer only expect toughness and durability from their bakkie, but are placing greater emphasis on comfort, convenience and design, he notes.

This is why the new-look Hilux features a touch-screen audio system, as one would expect in a passenger car. Higher-grade models also feature a multi-information instrumentation display linked to steering wheel-mounted buttons.

Another new feature is the Cool Box, fitted to high-grade models, which uses the air-conditioning system to cool or heat items placed inside.

A 12-volt power outlet is standard across the range.

The door pockets can stow 1 l bottles.

Another comfort feature is Toyota’s Pitch and Bounce Control system, which automatically adjusts engine torque in response to road surface conditions.

Pitch and Bounce Control uses wheel-speed sensor information to establish when the nose of the vehicle is lifted or lowered by road surface undulations. To prevent excessive fore and aft movement of occupants, engine torque is increased when the nose of the vehicle dips and decreased when the nose lifts – helping to smooth out the ride.

The Hilux now also offers an electronic rotary four-wheel-drive (4WD) switch housed within the dashboard, replacing the previously employed second gear lever. Using the 4WD change-over switch, the driver can select between two-wheel-drive, 4WD and 4WD with low range, up to speeds of 50 km/h.

The new Hilux is also fitted with a number of electronic driver support systems, such as Active Traction Control system (A-TRC) normally found in the Land Cruiser family of vehicles.

A-TRC uses a combination of engine torque control and brake pressure modulation to provide maximum traction under all conditions. On detecting a loss of traction, the system automatically brakes the relevant wheels and simultaneously redistributes drive torque to those which have grip.

Hill-start Assist Control prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards during an uphill start when the driver releases the brake pedal.

Downhill Assist Control is fitted to 4x4 derivatives and helps the driver regulate speed on steep, slippery or bumpy downhill gradients.

Engine Units
Powering the new Hilux is a range of newly developed engines.

The Global Diesel (GD) series engines are offered in 2.4 l and 2.8 l guise.

The 2 393 cc unit, employed in the utility-focussed models, offers 110 kW of power and 343 Nm of torque.

A higher output variant of the 2.4 l is also on offer, delivering the same peak power with a boost in torque to 400 Nm, available between 1 600 and 2 000 rpm.

Serving as the diesel flagship, the 2 755 cc GD engine offers 130 kW and 420 Nm, from 1 600 to 2 400 rpm, in manual guise. Automatic transmission versions receive a boost to 450 Nm over the same rpm span.

The high-output 2.4 l GD engine promises 7.3 l/100 km fuel efficiency and the 2.8 l GD engine 8.5 l/100 km.

Three petrol engines are on offer, with a 2 l, four-cylinder unit churning out 100 kW of power and 182 Nm of torque, forming the starting point of the petrol range.

This is supplemented by a revised version of the familiar 2.7 l VVT-i engine, delivering 122 kW and 245 Nm, with a 10% improvement in fuel economy.

Completing the line-up is the familiar 4 l V6, delivering 175 kW of power and 376 Nm of torque.

Forming the link between the new engines and the wheels, are all-new five- and six-speed transmissions.

Workhorse models are equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, with higher-grade models receiving an option of either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Towing capacity on the Hilux has been increased across the range (bar the entry-level petrol model), reaching 3.5 t in the 2.8 GD-6 4x4 model.

A first for Hilux is the fitment of the drive mode switch. Drivers are able to select between Eco and Power modes based on driving conditions. Eco mode improves fuel economy, while Power mode offers the driver sharper acceleration response.

Standard safety features across the range include a driver airbag, antilock braking, brake assist and an antitheft system.

Four Grades
The new Hilux is available in four grades.

The entry-level workhorse grade provides power steering, remote central locking, electric windows and the standard safety features.

The mid-grade SRX adds items such as tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, a multi-information display, a 12 V power outlet, steering switches and USB and auxiliary inputs.

Serving as the flagship across the single cab, Xtra cab and double cab, is the Raider grade. Some of the specifications here include automatic climate control, full colour multi-information display, a touch screen, six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, USB, auto lights, daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, metallic interior trim and chrome exterior accents.

Double-cab Raider models have seven airbags.

A new addition to the range is the SR grade, which caters to mining customers. This model derivative is based on the SRX grade and adds front side and curtain airbags, as well as vehicle stability control to comply with a full five-star ANCAP safety specification level.

It foregoes an audio system and side-steps owing to the utilitarian nature of the vehicle.

All Hilux models are accompanied by a five-year/90 000 km service plan, with service intervals set at 10 000 km.

Pricing of the new Hilux remains competitive, promises Toyota, with some models being priced lower than the versions they replace.

Single-cab pricing starts R228 900, Xtra cab pricing at R333 900 and double-cab pricing at R377 900.