New Toyota Hilux off-road eagle, in the city of the mayor

Although it took more than half a century, the Toyota Hilux has finally evolved into a comfortable car with a lifestyler character that impresses both off-road and in the city. The new 2.8-liter diesel engine has 204 hp. 54 more than the old inline-four engine. This is enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 10.7 seconds. However, the decisive factor is the torque of 500 newton meters (Nm). With it, the car breaks off with a slight pressure on the gas.
With over 18 million copies sold, the Toyota Hilux can easily be seen on the roads almost all over the world. A practical flatbed truck that even colleagues from the popular Top Gear TV show could not “kill”. After the most brutal treatment (with a wall-ball, salt water and fire), the engine of an unkillable pickup truck was started in just a few revolutions of the starter. How can you make such an iconic car even cooler and more successful?

“Nothing is impossible,” thought Toyota and carefully researched the market. In addition to the fact that the European pickup segment as a whole is growing (forecasts say growth of 35 percent by 2023), according to Toyota, interest in stylish flatbed trucks with more power is especially strong. And it is precisely this niche that the Japanese are now in a hurry to occupy with the new generation of Hilux.

The very name of the top model is already pretentious: Invincible, that is, invincible, is the name of the Hilux with a particularly muscular and massive appearance. A challenge for the Ford Ranger Raptor, which is facing a dangerous rival from the Far East. Of course, only “clothes” is not enough, so the developers, looking under the hood, found that the power needed to be increased. Again, 500 newton meters (Nm) of torque is the deciding factor. With it, the car takes off with a slight pressure on the gas. The engine has been improved: the cylinder block and cooling system have been optimized, it now has a newly developed, larger turbocharger.

Toyota has also improved the chassis of the new pickup while retaining the ladder frame chassis. In addition to damper tuning, the rear suspension has been improved, leaf springs have grown by six percent, and friction forces have been minimized. The speed-dependent power steering has been improved and is more comfortable. It responds even more easily to the desires of the driver, and at higher speeds it ensures safe driving, thanks to the “effort filling”.

As for the new interior, there's no hint of the rugged look of a commercial vehicle: glossy black lacquered surfaces, a refined and lightweight instrument panel, an eight-inch infotainment screen that flaunts in the middle like a sleek tablet. If desired, it is possible to connect your mobile phone to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And the icing on the cake: JBL's new 800W audio system.

With all this, the new Hilux has become less noisy. At speeds up to 130 km / h, you can now calmly talk from behind without raising your voice.
After a 50-kilometer section of the freeway, the display shows fuel consumption of 11.4 liters, an average of 10.4 liters, quite big, which is still forgivable for a rather heavy pickup truck of almost 2.3 tons.

More than acceleration, we were impressed by the chassis of the new Hilux: the feeling of real comfort and sliding on asphalt on the freeway, but also when hitting potholes off-road, the suspension gently smooths out even large potholes. Of course, the driver will still have to work hard with the steering wheel to balance 5.33 meters of steel and sheet metal when cornering, but the new Hilux copes with this task much better than its predecessor. Calling the Hilux a real gentleman would be an exaggeration, but it will definitely get rid of the image of work overalls with rolled up sleeves and a cigar.

I once compared the current version of the Toyota Hilux with the UAZ Pickup. Both cars performed well, but the Japanese, there is a Japanese and now it has become even better. Video test comparison featuring the previous version below.

Technical data Toyota Hilux 2.8 D, Double Cab (Invincible):

– Length / width / height: 5.33 / 1.90 (without mirror) / 1.82 m

– Engine: in-line four-cylinder diesel

– Displacement: 2755 cu.

– Power: 150 kW / 204 hp at 3400 rpm

— Max. torque: 500 Nm between 1600 and 2800 rpm

– six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive

– 0-100 km / h: 10.7 seconds

– Maximum speed: 175 km/h

– Standard consumption (WLTP): 8.8 – 10.1 l / 100 km

– CO2 emissions (WLTP): 233 – 266 g/km

– Dimensions of the cargo compartment length / width / height: 1.53 / 1.54 / 0.48 m

— Max. trailer load: 3.5 t

— Weight / max. lifting capacity: 2.36 / 1.06 t

– Price: from 49,497 euros

We thank colleagues from Global Press for their help in preparing the material.