Hilux unmasked - new look, more kit, extra grunt

Here it is, the updated Hilux. Would you trade a Supra for it?

 THEY’RE calling it the most technically-advanced ute ever offered by Toyota – so is that enough for the reinvigorated Hilux, unveiled internationally today, to at last wrest market leadership from its core rival, Ford Ranger?

Toyota New Zealand chief operating officer Neeraj Lala is understandably bullish about the updated variant, whose exact launch timing this year still has yet to be revealed, though Australia has signalled it will start receiving stock in August.

His enthusiasm is such that he has vowed to ditch his current company car, a GR Supra, for an example of the latest truck, which is incoming in four specification levels – Workmate, SR, SR5 and the range topping SR5 Cruiser, the latter available in both 2WD and 4WD and automatic only.

“I believe the performance of this truck is so good, I’ll be swapping out my GR Supra so we can tow our go kart trailer to my son’s weekend races. I can’t wait to see customers return to Hilux with this significant improvement,” says Lala.

Introducing two years after the ute’s last big refresh, the new line will also contain a special launch edition inspired by the recent success of the Hilux Gladiator. Lala says this edition, which he spoke to MotoringNZ about last month, will be “custom-built … for New Zealand customers and conditions.”

What isn’t mentioned in launch material is the variant some in the national media insisted was coming – though Lala always said it was not: A Gazoo Racing version, supposed with a twin turbo diesel.

So, what’s in store? Well, it’s a restyling exercise, with a bolder, tougher-looking exterior ‘on most variants’. And that  2.8-litre turbo diesel engine offers more power, achieves better cooling, resolves the diesel particulate filter issues and has better fuel efficiency than its predecessor. Ride comfort, towing and equipment levels also improve.

Maximum power has been increased by 20kW to 150kW – so, a 15.3 percent lift -  while peak torque on automatic models has been ramped up to 500Nm, which represents an 11.1 percent/50Nm improvement.

Fuel consumption also improves by up to 11.1 percent while tuned accelerator response delivers greater driver control. The six-speed automatic remains.

Suspension upgrades run to revised shock-absorber tuning, new bushings and improved leaf-spring design. Toyota claims a more comfortable ride, particularly over rough roads and with low loads while maintaining the model’s legendary off-road capabilities.

In 4x4 models with downhill-assist control, an additional traction control feature when using 2WD mode reroutes torque to assist grip in muddy or grassy conditions on worksites.

Towing capacity for automatic 4x4 variants has been upgraded to a maximum of 3500kg to match manual versions. On 4x2 variants, all diesel automatics are now rated at 2800kg, an increase of up to 300kg.

Revised exterior styling is intended to deliver a ‘tough, robust on-road presence’ that is intended to be more in keeping with the global Toyota ute/truck family. Particularly obvious is that large trapezoidal grille that dominates the front design and incorporates more pronounced horizontal elements that deliver a wider, more planted look.

Grille surrounds differ by grade while newly designed headlights are smaller for a "meaner" look and light clusters include LEDs on high grades.

Inside, all models have been upgraded to an 8-inch display screen with enhanced voice recognition and the latest smartphone integration functions, including the adoption at last of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher grades are also equipped with satellite navigation and digital radio.

A 4.2-inch multi-information display in the instrument binnacle incorporates a digital speed readout, among other new functions. Overseas reports speak of front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start, automatic air-conditioning and a nine-speaker JBL stereo system with an 800W eight-channel amplifier, plus accessories such as roller bed covers, a locking tailgate and a 12-volt power supply for the cargo bed.

Full NZ pricing and specifications are expected to be announced closer to launch.

RAV4 hybrid rising as market drops

New vehicle sales in May were down, but the leading player still had something to cheer about.

THE new vehicle market was down by around a third last month, but a big surge of interest in the RAV4 during that period has buoyed its distributor.

Toyota New Zealand says the crossover achieving 538 registrations to place as the top-selling car in May, when 8313 new vehicle registrations were accrued in total, also reveals a scenario that might outwardly might seem surreal given the market condition.

At a time when new vehicle sales are dropping, this car is in hot demand – so much so that anyone ordering one now won’t see it until perhaps July or August. 

Actually, it’s just the battery-assisted edition that’s on the ‘most wanted’ list. TNZ always knew the hybrid would be popular – it surged ahead at launch simply because every dealer wanted one as a demonstrator – but is impressed nonetheless that the private market is driving the car’s progress now.

And there’s another twist. The RAV4s that have been built for the rental market, which now wants out of new vehicle with international tourism now kaput, cannot be diverted to meet that demand, as hire companies only ordered the petrol pure variants.

In discussing the May count, TNZ chief operating officer Neeraj Lala says he has around 800 RAV4 hybrid pre-orders still unfulfilled. Most of those cars should be delivered in June, the remainder probably in July. 

All up, TNZ’s passenger volume in May is down around eight percent year-on-year, not so bad all things considered. What factors into this is that it was delivering cars ordered before lockdown.

As for what happens from now on? “Our new car inquiry rate is low,” he concedes. “But we have this incredible back order of deliveries, so for the next couple of months we will still look quite good. So, in that sense, it’s quite good. And the (ongoing) demand for hybrid RAV4 is simply phenomenal, a little bit unprecedented.” 

The Motor Industry Association, which speaks for distributors, has also signalled a degree of satisfaction with the May result, which though well off the same month last year, when 12,5259 cars and light commercials were sold, nonetheless represents a relatively decent post lockdown result, given the circumstances.

“The month of May re-opened for business albeit in a constrained manner,” noted chief executive David Crawford.

“It was a challenging month operating under alert level two and an economically depressed environment.”

Year-to-date the entire new vehicle market is down by 19,622 units, a 32 percent drop on the count for the same period of 2019.

Registrations of 5401 passenger and SUVs for last month were 29.2 percent (2223 units) below 2019 volumes while a commercial vehicle tally of 2912 units represents a 37.2 percent decrease.

After RAV4 the Ford Ranger installed as the second-strongest seller for May, though with 498 units, with another Toyota, the Hilux, nabbing third place, just 58 units behind. Lala was also stoked with that result.

Toyota was the overall market leader with 19 percent market share with 1611 units, followed by Holden, with nine percent (760 units) then Ford (eight percent, 702 units).

The MIA has joined those calling for the Government to bring the country to Level One Covid-19 restrictions “sooner rather than later.”

 Commented Crawford: “The MIA shares the views of many that with no new Covid-19 cases for the last 11 days and no known community spread for at least two months, we should be looking to move to alert level 1.

“The country is better prepared now to manage the odd case of Covid-19 should it arise. Our health system has improved significantly in terms of testing capability, contact tracing and hospital intensive care capacity.

“It is time to get our economy moving forward while maintaining our health gains.”