The success of the Ford Ranger Raptor has prompted different automakers to launch equally rugged variants of their pickups. Toyota didn’t go that far with the Hilux GR Sport, however its Australian division is already engaged on a brand new “Apex” variant of the favored pickup that includes loads of off-road-focused modifications.
Extra particularly, Toyota Australia stated: “In an additional improve to the Hilux vary, Toyota plans to launch a brand new Apex off-road variant, changing the Hilux Rugged X. Particulars, together with launch timing, shall be introduced sooner or later”. Thoughts you, the Hilux Rugged X is a market-specific model, with distinctive options utilized by Toyota Australia in Melbourne.
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As reported by CarExpert, gross sales of the Rogue and Rugged X variants of the Hilux have exceeded the 17,000 mark since their introduction in 2018. This makes an incredible case for the brand new Apex that ought to go even additional with the off-road therapy. Most of us would like to see a manufacturing model of the 2017 Hilux Tonka Idea, though it’s arduous to justify such excessive modifications for a collection manufacturing car.
In that context, the brand new Hilux Apex is predicted to get a metal bumper with a protecting bullbar and an built-in LED gentle bar, a snorkel, plastic fender add-ons, rock sliders, beefier tires, and doubtless a heavy-duty suspension. When it comes to powertrain, the pickup will probably use a tuned model of the present 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine. In inventory type, the engine that was launched within the facelifted Hiilux is sweet for 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS). Though the Hilux GR Sport fashions in Japan, Europe, and Thailand don’t get additional energy over the usual mannequin, the one offered in South Africa makes 221 hp (165 kW / 224 PS), displaying there’s room for enchancment when emissions aren’t a difficulty.
Australia is a pleasant marketplace for beefed-up pickup variants as confirmed by the Toyota Hilux Rugged X, the Nissan Navar Professional-4X Warrior (Premcar), the Mazda BT-50 Thunder, and the VW Amarok W580X (Walkinshaw). Whereas the efforts of native groups are spectacular, to say the least, not one of the aforementioned pickups has the ability and the heavy-duty suspension of the dearer second-generation Ford Ranger Raptor. Let’s hope that this adjustments with the brand new Toyota, bringing some powerful competitors to the Raptor.