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TOYOTA HILUX 270

15th August 2002, Page 40
15th August 2002
Page 40
Page 41
Page 40, 15th August 2002 — TOYOTA HILUX 270
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IPRICE AS TESTED: 217,495 (ex-VAT). ENGINE: 2.5 litres, 102hp (76kW). GVW: 2,870kg. PAYLOAD: 1,045kg. FUEL CONSUMPTION (LADEN): 331mpg (8.5411t/100km).

is manufacturers flock towards common-rail :echnology it was only a matter of time before Toyota idded it to its pickup range. Sure, the high-powered foyota double cab %I pickup is more likely to collect voceries from the supermarket and kids from school :han trek across the moors with four hay bales in the lack in the height of winter but, as every farmer who iwns a 4x4 will tell you, it still has to earn its corn...

Toyota re-launched the Hilux last year with a new common-rail engine, a revamped interior and redesigned front end. It has been four years since CM put a Hilux through its paces on the Kent roadtest and 30 years since le vehicle was introduced. The customer lust believe Toyota is doing something right. The move to common-rail is familiar across -le Toyota range and the D-4D engine, which roduces 88hp and to2hp, can also be found 1 the Dyna and Hiace models.

To increase the versatility of the Hilux, 'oyota introduced the double cab to the UK market in 1995, allowing operators to carry some gear and more than one passenger. This opened the pickup up to a new set of customers, turning it from single cab workhorse to versatile luxury motor with "desirability" written all over it.

Toyota has not forgotten the Hilux's grass roots, however, and has launched the 2WD Extra Cab two-door body with occasional rear seating, bridging the gap between single and double cab options. The bumper strikes a bolder image and the grille and valence on the 2WD and 4WD versions subtly differ, with the bottom section of the front now separated, lowered and widened.

As befits a top-ofthe-range pickup, Toyota has installed as standard air-con, remote central locking and engine immobiliser, and window etching linked to the round-the-clock International Security Register will guard against thieves taking it or keeping it so easily.

Electrically heated windscreen, adjustable mirrors and electric windows are also standard. The VX option also comes with inch alloy wheels and 255/70R tyres.

PRODUCTIVITY

The proof of a good engine is how deep tilt owner has to dig into their pocket at the till And if all double cab pickup drivers wen doing the same i4o.61un Kent route CA, does, the Hilux would be the cheapest at th( pump. An impressive 33.impg eclipsed thc non-common-rail Ford Ranger XLT 2.5TD which notched up 30.1npg, and the Him) 2.4T0 4x4 tested in 1998, which recordec 30.9mpg with a less environmentally friendll turbo-diesel engine.

If you want maximum load capacity, th( 1,045kg payload beats the Ranger by mon than 50kg. The maximum towing weight fol the Hilux is 2,250kg for a trailer with brakes Or 750kg without. The £17,495 (ex-VAT) basic

list price tag is a little steeper than Ford's Ranger at £16,350 (exVAT), with only the addition of the Bj erg 'liner cab' for the load compartment fitted to the Ranger closing the gap.

Extras for the Toyota include a Tipmaster tail-lift, Tommy Lift crane, Truckman top and a Bj erg Cap tonneau cover priced at £799 plus fitting.

ON THE ROAD

First impressions of the new-look dash are pretty favourable. The dials are clear and uncomplicated, although Toyota has missed the opportunity to relocate the umbrella handbrake, found next to the left knee.

The position of the handbrake is a leftover from the days when the front seat was a bench and there is no mechanical basis why it cannot be repositioned more logically. For some reason it has remained. Perhaps the cost of moving it is too much, but the current design is too easy to under-apply, leaving the vehicle prone to movement if left on a slope.

Another gripe is that if operators are going to spend hours out on the moors in all weathers (as CM likes to imagine) then the light grey interior is surely the most difficult colour after white to keep clean. These issues aside, the revamped interior offers the driver all possible comfort, with window and central locking controls on the driver's door and the gearbox and 4WD sticks well within reach.

Although five-up might prove a little uncomfortable for those placed in the back seats even on shorter trips, there is more than enough space. And if you lift up the rear seats, you'll find some useful storage cubbyholes big enough for several holdalls or toolbags.

Once up and running with a full load in the back, the bonnet rises and reduces the driver's forward view. Although not overly impaired when unladen, the difference is noticeable, but this seems to be an issue with all double cab pick-ups where most of the load space is located behind the rear axle.

The new 2.5-litre common-rail engine proves to be surprisingly noisy although, with such a state-of-the-art sound system, this can easily be drowned out. But you should not have to rely on a Paul Oakenfold CD to ensure a peaceful spin through the countryside.

The tc)2hp engine has more than enough power for everyday use and the pickup had no problem keeping pace with everyday traffic. Moving up the gearbox is swift out on the road and, when called upon to use the 4x4 gearstick from standstill, the change is smooth, as you would expect. It also pulled comfortably from a hill start at full GVW.

The VX comes with ABS, with the front brakes fitted with ventilated discs and the rear axle with drums. Out on the road, like all dou ble cab 045 on the market, there seems to little vision around the vehicle from the d ver's seat, which will certainly hamper tiE parking manoeuvres down at the superm ket car park. At least the side mirrors g good views down the side of the Hilux,

SUNINIARY

Some would argue that the 4x4 double cat slowly turning into a sports utility vehicle : the privileged rather than a durable wo horse/runaround. Only those who really nc one, coupled with folks who can more th afford a top-of-the-range Hilux to pick up 1 kids in the afternoon, will splash out.

It has a more than powerful enough engi to do pretty much what you want with it, a its fuel figure is very respectable against competition. This, combined with a revami exterior and new look interior, makes i Hilux VX an attractive package.

• by Kevin Swallow

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