MOTORING NEWS - The Toyota Hilux, which has been a stalwart in the local light commercial vehicle (LCV) market, can now proudly claim a million units sold as proof of the South African public's love, respect and trust. South African sales of the Hilux passed the one million mark in July.
The one millionth unit is a single cab 3,0 D-4D Legend 45 model, sold to Pretoria resident Shabier Aboobaker. He has owned a wide variety of Toyota products, including a 1982 Corolla Sprinter, a 1986 Cressida 2,8i (of which he was one of the first lucky owners) and various Camry models, some still in the family.
"We are incredibly proud of the vehicle's achievements on the local market and this is further proof that Hilux's legendary reliability and heritage has entrenched it in the hearts of customers," says Calvyn Hamman, senior vice-president of sales and marketing at Toyota South Africa. "This is also a significant achievement for our Durban based production plant where the current Hilux is produced."
In sporting circles, the Hilux also has a proud pedigree - notably the South African Cross-Country Championship, formerly known as the SA Off-Road Championship, Toyota has won the last seven manufacturer's titles in a row with the Hilux.
In international competition, the Hilux has fared extremely well too. With former Dakar winner Giniel de Villiers behind the wheel, the South African-developed and built race Hilux attained a third place on its Dakar debut in 2012. In 2013 it went one better with a second place, attained a fourth place in 2014 and another second place in 2015.
The Toyota Hilux has also competed in international races as part of the FIA's Cross Country Rally World Cup. Finnish driver Tapio Suominen won the opening round of the 2015 World Cup race in Russia, while Brazil's Reinaldo Varela finished third overall, both of them driving South African-built Toyota Hilux race machines. In addition to his overall victory during a seven-day race in Brazil, Varela managed another third place during the Sealine Rally in Qatar, while Dakar sensation Yazeed Al-Rajhi finished as runner up on the Rallye de Pharaohs in Egypt this year. In Italy, Toyota secured second and third place, with Varela taking second and Russia's Vladimir Vasilyev finishing third.
During the most recent event, the Hungarian Baja, Holland's Bernhard ten Brinke came second - yet another strong international showing by the locally-developed Toyota Hilux race vehicle.
At the heart of this version is a powerful and flexible Lexus IS-F V8 engine, the same as in competition vehicles. If offers more than 335kW of power at 6 000rpm, probably the most powerful Toyota Hilux built.
The Hilux Racing Experience is also a finely crafted machine that embraces a host of technology used in Toyota SA Motorsport's Hilux race vehicles.
The engine management system has been replaced with a Pectel Cosworth system, making the most of the engine's direct fuel injection. The sump has been modified to make room for the production Hilux front differential, which has been equipped with a new gear ratio.
The rear differential received similar treatment and the inlet manifold has been modified to Dakar spec, effectively boosting the torque characteristics of the engine. A new alternator and power steering pump has been fitted, together with a new air conditioning compressor. The entire wiring harness has been upgraded to Dakar spec, a full tubular exhaust system has been installed and modifications made to the transmission's bell housing, in order to mate the gearbox to the IS-F engine.
"All of this come together with the AIM electronic dashboard, which is fully integrated with the Pectel engine management system and provides the driver with engine information in true motorsport fashion."
The result is a well-balanced bakkie that offers supreme performance without compromising handling - in essence, a road-going Toyota Hilux injected with motorsport DNA, which offers the driver the very essence of Toyota SA Motorsport's race vehicles.
- Engine: Lexus IS-F 2UR-GSE
- Configuration: V8
- Capacity: 5 000cc
- Management: Pectel Cosworth, direct fuel injection
- Power: 335kW @ 6 000rpm
- Torque: 600Nm @ 3 250 to 4 500rpm
- Brakes: Power Brake 350mm discs with billet aluminium 4-piston calipers
- Suspension: Fully adjustable front and rear
- Ride Height: Lowered by 50mm
- Wheels: 9x18" alloy rims
- Exhaust System: Full tubular exhaust with Dakar spec inlet manifold
- Transmission: Standard Toyota Hilux D-4D
- Differentials: Standard Toyota Hilux D-4D front and rear, new ratios of 4,375
- Clutch: Twin Plate AP Racing
- Instrumentation: AIM Electronic Dash, integrated with Pectel Engine Management System.
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