Toyota Hilux pick up: welcome revamp for 2012
New front-end and cleaner engines for Toyota’s ‘indestructible’ truck
WITH tough new competitors arriving in the market, it’s a good time for the Toyota Hilux pick-up to get a facelift. And here’s a first look at the new 2012 version of the “indestructible” truck, which goes on sale in October.
In a bid to combat the new Volkswagen Amarok and the forthcoming new Ford Ranger, the Toyota Hilux has been given a comprehensive restyle from the A-pillar forwards. The pick-up has a new bonnet, radiator grille, headlamps and bumper, plus new wheel designs and new side bars and steps for the top-of-the-range Hilux Invincible.
The interior has been given a new look, too, with new upper dashboard design and horizontal instrument cluster. The revised layout incorporates the new Toyota Touch multimedia unit with a full colour 6.1in touch screen. The Touch package, fitted as standard to the HL3 and Invincible models, also includes Bluetooth and a USB port for connecting digital music players.
The quality feel of the cabin has been improved with new, dark finishes and new chrome surround for the instrument binnacle on the Invincible. The 2012 Hilux carries forward its current engines, the 142bhp 2.5 D-4D and 169bhp 3.0 D-4D units, but these now comply with the Euro 5 light commercial vehicle emissions standards ahead of their introduction at the beginning of next year, thanks to the adoption of a diesel particulate filter (DPF).
As a result of the adjustments to the engines, CO2 emissions for the 2.5 D-4D (Double Cab) have been cut by more than 10% to 194g/km, and combined fuel consumption has also improved by more than 10% to 38.7mpg (all bodystyles).
The emissions figure for the 3.0 D-4D Double Cab automatic has fallen to 227g/km and the manual to 203g/km. Combined fuel consumption figures are improved from 31.7mpg to 32.8mpg for the auto and 34.0mpg to 36.7mpg for the manual version.
The standard five-speed manual transmission and the optional five-speed automatic for the 3.0 D-4D engine, exclusive to the Invincible, are also retained. And the trim line-up of HL2, HL3 and Invincible, and the choice of single, extra and double-cab bodystyles are offered for the 2012 model year.
From launch, Hilux will be available with a comprehensive choice of accessory packs to tailor the vehicle to suit the needs of both business users and those owners who need to use Hilux for more everyday driving duties, or want to give their vehicle an extra dash of style.
2012 Toyota Hilux prices
- HL2 4WD 2.5-litre Single Cab, £16,090
- HL2 4WD 2.5-litre Extra Cab, £16,890
- HL2 4WD 2.5-litre Double Cab, £17,790
- HL3 4WD 2.5-litre Double Cab, £18,890
- Invincible 4WD 3.0-litre MT Double Cab, £20,590
- Invincible 4WD 3.0-litre AT Double Cab, £21,490
