A complete redesign of one of the world’s best-known and best-loved nameplates, the Toyota Hilux pickup, was unveiled in Bangkok, marking the start of sales of the new model in the Thai market.
Since the Hilux first hit dealerships in 1968, over 16 million have been sold in more than 180 countries and regions. Over its seven-generation history, the quality, durability and reliability of the Hilux have earned the model a diehard fanbase and a legendary reputation. Simply put, everyone knows the Hilux is tough.
But what does “tough” really mean? That’s the question we at Toyota asked ourselves when faced with the challenge of creating the eighth-generation Hilux.
We realized that toughness doesn’t just come from the vehicle; it comes from the people inside. Whether you’re battling your way up a muddy track or stuck in traffic, reducing the stress of driving is just as important as withstanding the elements. That’s why the new Hilux, while improving on the model’s characteristic ruggedness and performance, redefines toughness by being more occupant-focused and easier to drive than ever before.
To truly understand what our customers expect from us and the challenges they face on a daily basis, our development teams travel the globe, getting direct feedback from customers and driving on a wide variety of different roads to get a feel for different usage conditions. To gain inspiration for the eighth-generation Hilux, the development team drove in conditions ranging from rough, muddy forests to deserts with temperatures exceeding 50°C and flooded roads in the rainy season. Sometimes they came up against even harsher conditions than expected, which brought home the need to develop an even tougher Hilux.
The development process also reflected invaluable feedback received directly from Hilux drivers. Some wished they could make long transcontinental trips without worrying about running out of fuel. Others described how hard it is to stay alert and drive safely during grueling long-distance journeys with extended stretches of rough driving. Yet another, who uses their Hilux for forest maintenance work and frequently speaks via radio with the police and fire department, explained how a quiet cabin is essential for communication.
This led the development team to conclude that the new Hilux should not only be tougher but should also reduce stress as much as possible. Above and beyond conventional ideas of toughness, the eighth-generation Hilux boasts ride comfort that makes long, tough drives less grueling, a quiet cabin that allows communication in any conditions, and enhanced cruising range thanks to improved fuel efficiency.
As explained by Hiroki Nakajima, the executive chief engineer behind the Hilux (and also a managing officer of Toyota Motor Corporation): “Our entire development concept was centered on ‘redefining toughness’. We aimed to make the new Hilux ‘tougher’ based on a much broader interpretation of that word. The message we want to deliver to our customers is embodied in our slogan for the vehicle: ‘A New Era for Pickup. Every Inch a Hilux.’”
The Hilux pioneers a “new era” of easy-to-drive, stress-free toughness. At the same time, the truck is “every inch a Hilux”, and can be relied on to provide the legendary ruggedness, performance, responsiveness and safety expected from the model.
Body rigidity has been improved with additional spot welds reinforcing HiLux’s toughness and contributing to better steering response. Greater use of high-tensile steel helps reduce weight while ensuring body strength.
Toyota expects the entire next-generation HiLux range to attract the maximum five-star safety rating with stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes, reversing camera, seven airbags, hill-start assist and emergency stop signal all standard across the range.