Toyota Australia to unveil TRD HiLux in Brisbane
Click image for a gallery of the TRD HiLux
Last year in Melbourne, Toyota showed off a TRD Hilux concept truck. At the time, we commented that the supercharged show truck looked pretty production ready, and thet Aussies would likely see the "concept" part of the name dropped in the future. Well, the future is now -- or February, at least. That's when Toyota Australia pulls the wraps off the production TRD Hilux, which gets the bodywork, wheels, and graphics you see here. Power numbers haven't been released yet for its blown 4.0L V6, but you can expect something in the general neighborhood of 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft underhood, along with upgraded brakes and suspension. The Outback beckons...
[Source: Toyota]
Gallery: TRD HiLux Concept
PRESS RELEASE
TOYOTA TO UNVEIL TRD HILUX IN BRISBANE
Toyota Australia will unveil the supercharged TRD HiLux at the Brisbane International Motor Show ahead of its launch in the second quarter of 2008.
Queensland manager Sean Hanley said the TRD HiLux had completed all testing and would begin production in the second half of February.
TRD HiLux will be the second vehicle in the TRD line-up, following the launch in August last year of TRD Aurion.
The performance-oriented 4x4 double cab is distinguished by a boldly designed exterior and interior, penned by Toyota Style Australia.
TRD engineers have supercharged the 4.0-litre V6 engine for sports-car performance and have enhanced the suspension, brakes and styling without detracting from its off-road ability.
Maximum power will gain more than 25 per cent compared with the standard engine's 175kW. Peak torque will jump from 376Nm to well over 400Nm.
"HiLux is now the best-selling vehicle in Queensland, so it is fitting for Queensland motorists to be the first to see the final production version of the TRD-enhanced model," Mr Hanley said.
Toyota's stand would also display five other vehicles never previously seen at a Brisbane show.
"Toyota's TRD Aurion, LandCruiser 200 Series, new Corolla hatch, RAV4 V6 and new-generation Kluger are all new models launched in the past eight months," Mr Hanley said.
Fittingly, in 2007 - for the first time - Queensland motorists bought more HiLuxes than any other vehicle.
The total of 12,640 HiLuxes was an increase of 23 per cent on the previous year.
Toyota also extended its market leadership in Queensland with total sales surpassing 50,000 for the first time.
The company's total of 56,230 new vehicles was up 15.7 per cent compared with the average market increase of 10.4 per cent.
Toyota's market share in Queensland at 24.0 per cent is the highest of any state - and bigger than the combined totals of its two nearest rivals.
Toyota also led 10 market segments - light cars (Yaris), small cars (Corolla), medium cars (Camry), compact SUV (RAV4), medium SUV (Prado), large SUV (LandCruiser wagon), light van and light bus (HiAce) and 4x2 and 4x4 pick-up/cab-chassis (HiLux).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
steve 2:41AM (3/07/2008)
hope they put the handbrake where it should be--------back on the dash otherwise it looks like a real good truck.Can't wait to get one.
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jesse 9:28PM (3/18/2008)
TRD Australia SUCK.
and toyota Bullbars are RUBBISH
I had a Toyota bar snap in half on my hilux a few years back cause it's bolted instead of welded. They still bolt them.
Since TRD launched officially in australia we can no longer buy TRD parts. All the private companies that sold their gear stopped, and toyota only sell the TRD trim levels on cars, not the actual parts! TRD Australia is a hinderence when your trying to build a performance toyota and use TRD parts.
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ugg.tryptophan 12:21AM (1/21/2008)
i wish toyota would bring this to america, im tired of that ugly hippo they call the tundra
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JGN 7:14PM (1/20/2008)
I don't know which I like more, the look of the Tacoma we get here or the Hilux the Australians get. The Hilux looks pretty sharp. It's the same truck so it doesn't really matter I guess.
Australia seems to be taking to Toyota as much as Americans are lately.
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AutoXN 7:22PM (1/20/2008)
The proportions of this truck look a lot better than the Tacoma and it looks less bulky. I wonder what size of bed that is. They need to bring this configuration to NA, I'd buy one.
Torrent 7:19PM (1/20/2008)
That should be the new tacoma.
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Zerk 7:20PM (1/20/2008)
No TRD HiLux in the US.
No TRD Camry in the US.
No Celica.
No Supra.
No MR2.
Toyota is sooooo performance oriented in the USA!
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The Joker 10:32AM (1/21/2008)
Toyota is the business to make MONEY, just like every other company out there. Toyota makes the most money making relatively boring cars and trucks that appeal to a large segment of the population. They know their base which is something you can't say for all manufacturers these days.
There are plenty of other companies that make performance cars out there; it's not like America is hurting for more performance cars, especially in light of new CAFE regulations.
Punkcrisis 7:58PM (1/20/2008)
Damn I wish we got the Hilux here in Canada, after all those are respectable numbers and its a better looking truck.
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Guenther 8:18PM (1/20/2008)
Can we now assume that the TRD blower for the 4 liter will now finally get to market here in the US?
I do like the styling of this, but for my taste I prefer the Toyota bull-bar they sell as an accessory Down Under.
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Dan 8:29PM (1/20/2008)
That is one sweet truck.
Bring it over here and Nissan might put the 5.6 V8 in the Frontier. That'd be an even sweeter truck.
(Not to leave out Ford and Chevy. They'd come out with sport packages consisting of chin spoilers, new wheels, and special embroidery on the seats for the Ranger and Colorado, respectively.)
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Guenther 8:37PM (1/20/2008)
Dan- unless it's been killed recently, the Colorado and Canyon will have V8's available in the near future.
Eek 9:17PM (1/20/2008)
Wow, it's surprising how much I like this truck.
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vmquan 9:39PM (1/20/2008)
I think I prefer the Tacoma. If we could get that supercharged V6 it'd be even better. I think the lines and overall shape of the Tacoma are better. However, I would much prefer that TRD Aurion in the last picture over the current awkwardly styled Camry.
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Donovan 10:23PM (1/20/2008)
You can get the supercharged V6 in North America, TRD just released it's long awaited supercharger for the 4.0L V6 for the Tacoma and FJ Cruiser. You can find it online for $3750.00 which includes the install kit. Also if you get it installed by a Toyota dealer you keep your factory warrenty, which will now include the supercharger (they charge 6-7hr. for the install).
adam 11:03PM (1/20/2008)
Everything looks great except for the wheels.
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smithdhe 11:29PM (1/20/2008)
Ummm, no diesel hilux?
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Franz 11:51PM (1/20/2008)
I don't know about Australia, but diesel variants have been available worldwide for years. They got pretty decent power too... TRD should work their magic on a diesel version next.
The Hilux has always been a pretty tough truck though. Anyone watched that episode of Top Gear when they tried (unsuccessfully) to kill one?
Korin Hasegawa-John 1:02AM (1/21/2008)
This is just the TRD one, it's a trim level. Other HiLuxes use oil burners.
hashiryu 1:51AM (1/21/2008)
TRD Australia pwns TRD USA. TRD USA has to be the lamest tuning arm of any company anywhere. The debuted the Tacoma TRD with similar specs like 3 yrs ago, it has yet to make an appearance. Where as TRD OZ debuted this concept last year and it will be here in feb. No wonder you guys give Toyota such a bad rap over there in the US.
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