Autoblog

PickupTrucks.com stages global shootout with new Ranger, Colorado, Hilux and Amarok

Zach Bowman — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Holden, Australia, Diesel

PickupTrucks.com has turned to its friends in Australia for a look at a few of the most popular midsize pickups found Down Under. The result is the Global Pickup Shootout that pits the reigning-champion Toyota Hilux against the Holden Colorado, Volkswagen Amarok and the Ford Ranger. Each truck was faced with a battery of tests that included on-road and off-road performance as well as design and value evaluations.

How did the results shake out? The Toyota Hilux, which hasn't seen a significant update since 2005, is clearly starting to show its age. The truck consistently found itself at the back of the pack, which resulted in a fourth-place finish overall with 29 points. By comparison, the third-place Volkswagen Amarok performed well in the overall value and design segments, but fell behind elsewhere. The German pickup took home 34 points in the evaluation.

The real story here is just how close the first, second and third-place finishers were in the shootout. The Holden Colorado went home with just two more points than the Amarok, thanks largely to its first-place off-road performance, but fell to the Ford Ranger by just one point. That means that the Ranger, Colorado and Amarok were split by just three points in total. Head over to PickupTrucks.com to take a look at the very detailed comparison for more information.

PickupTrucks.com stages global shootout with new Ranger, Colorado, Hilux and Amarok originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota conquers Antarctic in jet-fueled Hilux pickups

Zach Bowman — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Etc., Toyota, Specialty, Diesel, Off-Road

Toyota has just wrapped up another impressive Antarctic expedition, this time traversing over 43,500 miles in the span of four months. In the process, the company says it snagged a new world record with three specially-prepared Hilux pickup trucks with each covering 5,903 miles of the frozen continent. Iceland-based Arctic Trucks handled converting the pickups for their stint in the cold, and while the alterations included creating at least two 6x6 versions, the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engines had to be reworked to consume Jet A-1 fuel. In the low temperatures of the Antarctic, standard diesel would simply turn to jelly.

The trucks were also outfitted with large tires running just 2-3 psi of air pressure, resulting in a contact patch around 17 times larger than a standard tire. Toyota reports the trucks ran incredibly well throughout the expedition and required no major repairs.

Starting last November, Toyota sent a team of 10 Hilux trucks to the far south to establish fuel depots, a weather station and to support scientific expeditions along the way. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Toyota conquers Antarctic in jet-fueled Hilux pickups

Toyota conquers Antarctic in jet-fueled Hilux pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota UK says Top Gear boys to go on another Hilux adventure [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Etc., Toyota, Celebrities, Off-Road

The Toyota Hilux can attribute a fair portion of the its celebrity to the Top Gear crew's exuberant doting. After attempting to destroy the truck via a smattering of inhumane methods, traversing the frozen wastes of ~~Antarctica~~ the Arctic and braving the fires of Icelandic volcanoes, the show has given the globe-conquering Toyota more love than nearly any other model.

It looks as if that won't slow down anytime soon. According to Toyota, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond will once again take to the wheel of a specially-prepared Hilux for an all new challenge.

Just what will that task entail? Toyota is keeping its mouth shut at the moment, and Top Gear isn't typically one for spilling secrets early. Judging by the photos, however, it appears as if the vehicle will need to withstand substantial water crossings and support the trio for at least one night in the wild. Color us excited. Hit the jump for some of the vehicle's finer moments on the show.

UPDATE: We mistakenly said the Top Gear crew visited Antarctica, which is false as they were aiming for the North Pole in the Arctic. Thanks, Mark!

Continue reading Toyota UK says Top Gear boys to go on another Hilux adventure [w/video]

Toyota UK says Top Gear boys to go on another Hilux adventure [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Icelandic off-road company sets record South Pole crossing

Jeff Sabatini — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Toyota, Off-Road

Guinness recognized a new world record for the fastest overland journey to the South Pole this week. The expedition occurred in December 2010, when two modified Toyota Hilux trucks travelled 1,434 miles across the Antarctic High Plateau in 108 hours.

That the average speed for the trip was just over 13 miles per hour gives an indication of the extreme conditions the drivers faced, at altitudes up to two miles above sea level. The expedition was organized by the Kazakhstan National Geographic Society and The Antarctica Company, and included four members: Konstantin Orlov and Stanislav Makarenko from KNGS, Andrey Myller from TAC, and Hlynur Sigurdsson from Arctic Trucks - the off-road tuning company that built the vehicles.

Arctic Trucks used 170-horsepower, 3-liter turbodiesel Hiluxes for the expedition build, modified to carry a whopping 285 gallons of fuel, 74 in tanks and the rest in the bed. The Arctic Trucks Expedition AT44 gets its name from 44x18.5 tires fitted to 15-inch rims and run at tire pressures as low as 2 psi. The four-by-four ice-crawlers have five-speed automatic transmissions with part-time transfer cases and a 2.566:1 low gear. Besides carrying up to 1.3 tons, the trucks are equipped to tow an additional 1.5 tons on a trailer. The AT44 weighs in at 4,960 pounds and manages about 5 mpg in the Antarctic snow.

Read the full press release after the jump.

Continue reading Icelandic off-road company sets record South Pole crossing

Icelandic off-road company sets record South Pole crossing originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Toyota Hilux proves it's as tough and unbreakable as ever

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Toyota, Australia

Top Gear showed us just how sturdy the Toyota Hilux pickup truck can be. The plucky Brit trio put one poor truck through a series of increasingly harder challenges until they finally strapped it to the roof of a building destined to be demolished. After pulling it off the pile of rubble that used to be an apartment building, the Hilux was eventually started up, and later driven into the Top Gear studio. Needless to say, this is one tough truck we're talking about here.

Toyota knows its latest Hilux is tough, too, and the automaker has decided to play up this angle for a new series of commercial spots running in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Seeking to show just how unbreakable and manly its pickup is, the machine is put through its paces over hill and dale, from the desert to the top of snow-capped mountains... and it meets some strange blokes along the way.

It's also so manly that it even makes dainty women into something barely removed from... well, her husband. Click past the jump to see for yourself.

Continue reading 2012 Toyota Hilux proves it's as tough and unbreakable as ever

2012 Toyota Hilux proves it's as tough and unbreakable as ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Redesigned Avensis heads Toyota lineup in Frankfurt

Zach Bowman — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Sedan, Toyota

Toyota is headed to the Frankfurt Motor Show next week with a stack of new and revised models, and chief among them is the company's next-generation Avensis. Built in the UK, the vehicle will feature a new front fascia that falls more in line with the rest of the Toyota clan. Likewise, the automaker says that the sedan's interior has also received a quick once-over and that we can expect to hear word on new drivetrain options as well. At the moment, Toyota is being tight-lipped about what exactly that will mean for price, fuel economy and power.

In addition to the Avensis, visitors to the Frankfurt Motor Show can get their first glimpse at the 2012 Hilux as well as a three-door Yaris variant. Toyota will also be bringing along the entire Prius family, including the Prius Plug-In and Prius+. As you may recall, the latter will be marketed as the Prius V on our side of the world. Hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Redesigned Avensis heads Toyota lineup in Frankfurt

Redesigned Avensis heads Toyota lineup in Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Hilux pickup gets fresh skin, more power for 2012

Chris Paukert — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Toyota, Diesel

2012 Toyota Hilux - Click above for high-res image gallery

When we think of Toyota icons, we tend to think of vehicles like the Prius, Land Cruiser, or perhaps the Corolla, the world's best-selling nameplate. But entire towns have been built and many wars have been fought on the back of Toyota's Hilux pickup. Celebrated the world over for its legendary ruggedness and anvil-like reliability, it's been the workhorse of choice everywhere from Africa to Antarctica for decades. In other words, the debut of a new Hilux qualifies as a genuinely important development in global transportation.

And while this isn't an all-new model, there are a raft of changes worth noting for the new year. Starting with the obvious, the 2012 Hilux receives a completely new front clip, including new fenders headlights, bumper, hood, and three-bar grille. Additional changes include updated rear fenders, as well as new mirrors and alloy wheel designs.

Inside, the changes are mostly minor, though there's a new upper dashboard piece and an available 6.1-inch touchscreen multimedia system. Beyond that, Toyota cites "greater colour consistency throughout" and some silver trim bits as key changes.

Underhood, the diesel-powered two-wheel-drive Hilux 2.5 D-4D gets a new variable nozzle turbo to boost power to 144 horses (+24) and 253 pound-feet of torque, all while lowering fuel consumption.

Overall, the Hilux is available in three bodystyles with two engines and transmissions, along with two- or four-wheel drive. Check out our high-res gallery below and learn more in the official press release after the jump.

Continue reading Toyota Hilux pickup gets fresh skin, more power for 2012

Toyota Hilux pickup gets fresh skin, more power for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota sends four Hilux pickups across Antarctica à la Top Gear

Zach Bowman — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:56:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Toyota, Specialty

Toyota Hilux goes to Antartica - Click above for high-res image gallery

Thanks in part to the work of the crew at Top Gear, the Toyota Hilux pickup has garnered a reputation for being all but unstoppable. Whether it's being left to suffer at the hands of a rising tide, plummeting from the top of a demolished housing complex or roaming the Antarctic wastes, there just seems to be no beating the Hilux.

Toyota itself has set about showing the world just what these vehicles are capable of by taking the pickup on a brutal 2,858-mile trek across our planet's southern-most continent. During the adventure, the vehicles faced temperatures down to negative 68.8 degrees Farenheit and altitudes of over 11,100 feet.

Though the trucks were specially-prepared by the aptly-named company Artic Trucks, their 3.0-liter diesel engines were left bone stock. Over the trip, the Hilux proved it could keep pace with just about any tracked vehicle while still returning better fuel economy than just about any other expedition vehicle. That's important when a single barrel of oil can cost as much as $10,000 once it reaches the Antarctic shore. Hit the jump to check out the full press release.

Gallery: Toyota Hilux goes to Antartica

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota sends four Hilux pickups across Antarctica à la Top Gear

Toyota sends four Hilux pickups across Antarctica à la Top Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Newsweek investigates why rebel groups always seem to be driving Toyota pickups

Zach Bowman — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:26:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Toyota, Military, Off-Road

It turns out that the Toyota Hilux isn't just a favorite with fans of Top Gear. According to Newsweek, the unbeatable little pickup from Japan is also a vital cog in various insurgent war machines around the globe. With its combination of reliability, affordability, ubiquity and capability, the bare-bones truck has been a favorite with rebel groups of various nationalities since it first hit the scene in the late '60s. In the more than 40 years since, the Hilux has shown up in conflicts from Nicaragua, Rwanda, Somalia and Ethopia to Pakistan and Iraq. If you're looking for the automotive equivalent of the AK-47, you've found it.

Newsweek even says that U.S. Special Forces has been known to make use of a Hilux or two on occasion in favor of the heavier, more cumbersome and more expensive Humvee. In most war zones, the Toyota has become the modern equivalent of light cavalry - delivering both weapons and troops over rough terrain in quick order. Throw in the fact that a .50 caliber weapon can be mounted in the bed, and the truck's versatility grows by leaps and bounds.

Head over to Newsweek to read the very interesting full article for yourself. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

[Source: Newsweek | Image: Mustafa Abdi/AFP/Getty]

Newsweek investigates why rebel groups always seem to be driving Toyota pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Australia to unveil TRD HiLux in Brisbane

Alex Nunez — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Toyota, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

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

Continue reading Toyota Australia to unveil TRD HiLux in Brisbane

Toyota Australia to unveil TRD HiLux in Brisbane originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1980s decals are back! Toyota to release F1-inspired Hilux pickup

Chris Shunk — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Truck, Toyota

Back in March we told you about a supercharged TRD HiLux pickup designed for the Australian market, and now the guys and gals from Aichi Japan are unveiling an F1-inspired variant of its world pickup at the CV show in the UK. Powered by a 3.0L diesel engine, grunt will be bumped to 200ps (197 hp), which is 30 stallions more than the standard fare. Also updated are a US-sourced top, bigger rims, and an F1-inspired paint job.

We don't know if the red and white paint scheme of the HiLux reminds us of the Toyota F1 car, but we'd sure take the 3.0L diesel here in the states. If Back to the Future part four were made today, we're pretty sure this would be Marty's truck of choice.

The full press release is after the jump.

[Source: Toyota]

Gallery: Toyota HiLux F1 Concept

Continue reading 1980s decals are back! Toyota to release F1-inspired Hilux pickup

1980s decals are back! Toyota to release F1-inspired Hilux pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Melbourne: Toyota shows off TRD versions of Aurion sedan and HiLux pickup

Alex Nunez — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Truck, Toyota, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for TRD Aurion gallery. TRD HiLux gallery below.

TRD didn't just show off its new Corolla-based rally car at the Melbourne Motor Show. The Aussie wing of Toyota's factory motorsports arm also pulled the sheets off a new production car, the TRD Aurion, and a near-production-looking concept in the TRD HiLux pickup. The emergence of the special Aurion represents the world debut of TRD as a vehicle brand, opening the door for TRD versions of just about anything the automaker sets its mind to.

The TRD Aurion doesn't play around, either. This better-looking (much better looking in fact) Aussie version of the Camry gets a blown 3.5L V6 good for at least 320 horsepower. Some of you will notice that the TRD production car is essentially a dead ringer for the Aurion Sports Concept (gallery) that made its debut at the Sydney Motor Show back in October. We think the production car looks better, with less grey in the nose and much nicer-looking wheels. Sadly, Toyota thinks that the Camry has to look boring in our market. Come on guys, this look and the supercharged engine would go a long way towards making people think of the car as something other than an inoffensive, boring appliance.

Joining the TRD Aurion at the Toyota Stand is a TRD HiLux concept pickup. The four-door short-bed truck sports TRD graphics, a black roll bar, and a supercharged 4.0L V6. No power numbers were given. TRD only says that HiLux concept's engine is good for "substantially more" than the 234 horses the standard HiLux produces. If we had to guess, we'd say that our friends in Oz can look for the "concept" part of the HiLux's name to be dropped in the future.

[Source: Toyota]

Gallery: TRD Aurion

Gallery: TRD HiLux Concept

Continue reading Melbourne: Toyota shows off TRD versions of Aurion sedan and HiLux pickup

Melbourne: Toyota shows off TRD versions of Aurion sedan and HiLux pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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