The Australian division of Toyota is to unveil a high-performance double-cab in the form of the Hilux TRD. This fast and powerful light truck has been given a power boost for its 4.0 V6 engine in order to fit in tighter with other high-powered workhorses.
A supercharger has been used to harness 219kW out of the engine, up from the standard 175kW, with torque increased to over 400Nm from 376Nm. Top speed should be higher as well, but that will not mean too much in speed-averse Australia. Thus expect to see very quick sheep in Brisbane, Queensland from time to time, where the vehicle will be showcased during the Brisbane International Motor Show. Launch period is the second quarter of 2008. It is the second TRD to be made available in Australia after last year’s 241kW/323HP TRD Aurion.
Toyota Style Australia is responsible for the aggressive styling which is quite differentiated from the everyday dusty Hilux. Brakes and suspension have been enhanced as well in order to cope with all the added horses. The handling will probably not inspire, no thanks to original high body design. Nevertheless a few hot hatchbacks may be left wanting after attempting to dice this TRD. Incidentally the Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in Queensland, making the unveiling all the more pertinent for that part of Australia.
Press Release
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).
Related entries:
Toyota TRD Aurion and Hilux World Debuts
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