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]

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).