2002 Toyota Hilux

Toyota Hilux – tougher than ever!

To curb the increasingly strong foothold of its opposition models in SA, Toyota has announced a facelifted version of the ever-popular Hilux, SA’s top-selling bakkie for the last three decades.

This is a mean bakkie – having outsold its main competitors worldwide, the Hilux has also taken the South African market by storm, seemingly comfortably winning the bakkie war.

With world sales totalling 11.5 million units since the late 1960s, South African buyers have contributed 590 000 units to this figure since 1969. Of the latest-generation model, introduced here in 1998, Toyota SA has already sold more than 80 000, the best-selling model-generation to date ensuring Toyota a 30% share of the bakkie market. And looking at the revamped version, this figure is set to soar further still.

Toyota believes the new latest model to be tougher than ever. Surviving SA’s increasingly deteriorating roads, it has to be, as was proved by a launch drive on some severely neglected dirt roads in the North West.

While the fundamental mechanics remain the same, there are some detail cosmetic improvements, including a bold new face for lifestyle models, a completely new dash, and a special model added to the range (the 3.0 D-E 4x4 with normally aspirated, injected diesel engine and aircon), all amounting to a total investment of R27 million by Toyota SA – no small figure for what is effectively a facelift, but justifiable since the SA markets currently accounts for 9% of Toyota’s total African and Asian market bakkie sales and 27% of total (all-model) SA sales. Some 47% of content is local.

The tough new look complements its tough abilities. But the Hilux is also a bakkie of firsts – it was the first local bakkie to offer airbags and ABS on Raider models, while luxury models got convenience items like power windows and a CD-player, all making them identifiably more relevant and  for their target market.

The 3.0 D-E special diesel model, effectively replacing the petrol-powered 2700i SRX 4x4 double cab, is a no-frills models aimed squarely at agricultural and heavy industrial applications, and offers aircon, styled steel wheels, CD-player, mud flaps, very high ground clearance, gear lock and immobiliser as standard features. It is a model unique in the one ton market.

All models benefit from new fenders, bonnet, grille, valance and bumpers. Raider models have new headlamp and indicator lamp treatment, with sculptured headlight clusters, as well as a new striping package and chrome-finish rear-view mirrors in the top end lifestyle models. A new dash (and new centre console for double cab Raiders), revised seat coverings, new cloth design (Raiders with combination leather/cloth seat trim) have been applied to all models barring the base line 2-litre short wheelbase variant.

There are 16 variants in total to suit just about any commercial, farming and recreational application. The range covers base line models in short and long wheelbase, a choice of either petrol or diesel engines (2-litre petrol or 2.7-litre fuel injected petrol engines, 2.4 naturally aspirated diesel or 3.0 naturally aspirated diesel with electronically controlled fuel pump, and a 3-litre turbo diesel engine), as well as 4x4 and 4x2 drive configurations.

Commercial users who favour petrol driven models have the option of the 1RZ 2.0 litre engine which produces 68 kW @ 4800 r/min and 160 Nm of torque available at 2800 r/min.

Diesel power comes in the form of either the 2.4 litre 2L-II engine (61 kW @ 4200 r/min and 162 Nm @ 2400 r/min) or the 5L-E three litre engine on the D-E model with electronically controlled fuel injection (72 kW @ 4200 r/min and 192 Nm @ 2400 r/min).

The big-block four cylinder 2700i petrol engine remains as is, providing smooth and efficient power while consuming less fuel than competitor’s top six cylinder models. Its figures are 108 kW @ 4800 r/min with maximum torque of 235 Nm @ 4000 r/min.

The turbocharged 1KZ-TE diesel engine used in the 4x2 raised body single and double cab Raiders and the 4x4 double cab Raider produces 85 kW @ 3600 r/min and a massive 315 Nm of torque at just 2000 r/min. It is without doubt one of the most impressive diesel engines available in the bakkie market today and hugely popular with lifestyle buyers.

All models have a tachometer, digital clock, intermittent wipe setting for the windscreen wipers, low fuel warning light, cup holders, and vehicle security systems (that fully comply with South African Insurance Association requirements - i.e. no additional security equipment needs to be fitted for insurance purposes). The 2,0-litre petrol and 2,4 litre and 3.0D-E diesel models have an integral gear lock, while 2700i and 3.0KZ-TE turbo diesel models have a transponder key immobiliser system with central locking.

While the equipment list becomes more extensive the higher the model designation, all 4x2 single cab Raiders and the 2700i single cab 4x4 Raider are fitted with air conditioner, RDS radio with front loading CD player, sliding rear window, bush bar, side steps, body colour over fenders, tubular steel rear bumper, roll bar, elasticised tonneau cover and cloth seats with leather bolsters. An electro-pneumatic diff-lock is specified as standard equipment on the 2700i 4x2 Raider and the 3.0KZ-TE 4x2 Raider. On the 4x4 double cab Raiders this item is computer-controlled. Electrically operated windows are standard on the 2700i 4x2 Raider.

Five double cab models are offered in the range to meet a variety of needs. The base line double cab is the 3.0D-E 4x4 double cab DLX, with features including front loading CD/ radio and four speakers, sliding rear window, bucket seats at the front covered with cloth and tubular steel rear bumper. A diff lock to improve traction in difficult terrain is also fitted as standard.

Models from the 2700i 4x2 (raised body) double cab Raider upwards feature air conditioner, power steering, remote central locking with selective unlock, radio/CD with RDS and four speakers, power windows front and rear, sliding rear window, bucket seats at the front covered with combination velour/leather upholstery, height adjustable head restraints for the front seats and two integral head restraints for the rear seat, remote fuel filler release, and tubular steel rear bumper. A diff lock to improve traction in difficult terrain is also fitted as standard.

The top-of-the-range 2700i and 3.0KZ-TE turbo diesel 4x4 double cab Raiders feature computer controlled rear diff lock, ABS brakes, driver and front passenger airbags, front loading CD/radio, electric windows, and remote controlled central locking with selective lock and unlock. 

Warranty is one year/unlimited distance and three years against rust. Buyers also get a one year roadside assistance programme, while dealers will provide detail on the Toyota maintenance and service plan. Service intervals vary according to model.