MOTORS: Why the Toyota Hilux has no fears of the Top Gear wrecking crew
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
As the world is focused on electric power and zero emissions, there is still a place for big beefy machines.
The traditional pick-up has never been stronger, both in ability and in the line-up from the three main contenders – Ford, Toyota and Isuzu – although SsangYong are nibbling away with their very capable and competitively-priced Musso.
Once pick-ups were just tough workhorses, lugging bales of straw or animal feed around farmers’ fields or taking bricks and cement onto building sites. Many still spend their lives doing just that but others have taken on a more glamorous role as fashion statements on trendy city streets, where they stand out among the surfeit of SUVs.
Toyota’s Hilux is regarded as the daddy of them all as it’s now in its eighth generation. Since the original model was launched in 1968, it has certainly earned its stripes, conquering the North Pole, Antarctica and Icelandic volcanoes and, in competition form, twice winning the gruelling Dakar rally. One remarkable model also had the honour of surviving many attempts by TV’s Top Gear programme to destroy it by drowning, fire and dropping from a great height.
The Dakar Rally has inspired this latest incarnation, combining the traditional workhorse ability with some get-up-and-go and attaching a GR Sport label.
That may seem a weird move, especially with a 2.8 litre four-cylinder diesel under the bonnet, rather than the established 2.4 litre unit but with other technical modifications, this Hilux is pretty nippy for its size and weight, although it still wouldn’t win any timing test against a hot hatch or even a sporty fellow Toyota saloon.
It certainly looks significant, the biggest change being at the front with a bold new black-framed face, where the former Toyota badge has been replaced with Toyota spelled out across the grille, although in much smaller letters than on the equivalent Ford Ranger.
The Hilux is renowned for its ability to tackle extreme off-road conditions but because of its dual personality, the engineers have put in extra effort to ensure it can be composed and comfortable on the road in everyday driving.
So there have been a number of suspension and steering revisions along with an automatic limited-slip differential that improve its tarmac ride and handling while maintaining its off-road controllability.
More from Alan Douglas:
Does new Honda Jazz hit the right note?
What would Steve McQueen make of this Mustang?
Would 007 really be happy to take this as his company car?
The rear suspension has leaf springs with bright red twin monotube shock absorbers, designed to provide SUV-like comfort and stability on the road while allowing for the demanding articulation which comes when on rough ground.
The result is a smoother ride, with less impact when driving over steps, potholes and ruts in the road surface.
Its fundamental strength comes from its body-on-frame construction – a design which is quite rare in the pick-up segment. The ladder frame chassis is durable and gives it the torsional rigidity to deal with severe twisting forces when hitting rough terrain.
While it looks good and commands a powerful view in traffic, it is still a capable working machine with a one-tonne payload capacity and the ability to tow braked trailers of up to 3.5 tonnes which takes account of almost anything you’d want to drag from large caravans to big horseboxes and with more than 300mm ground clearance, it can wade through water at a depth of up to 700mm.
In the cabin, there are sports pedals and ‘GR’ badges on the steering wheel with lots of red accents and the upgraded JBL premium sound system is highlighted by two speakers at either side on top of the dash.
The high driving position gives confidence and the sport seats are spacious and comfortable with stacks of space inside for all the family.
The downside is that you’ll be lucky to achieve the official 30mpg and the listed price is subject to VAT which takes the final bill to over £51,000.
