Easy-to-detect external adjustments will be implemented in Australia from March. It remains clear whether South Africa will also be aware of those adjustments. Image: Toyota Australia
Toyota, which received two mid-life updates since its global debut about a decade ago, has given the eighth-generation Hilux its third and likely final redesign before the still-speculated arrival of the new generation this year or in 2025.
Last revised four years ago to incorporate styling, the obvious final update comes with a new grille and bumpers designed to shape an interlocking design, L-shaped side notches housing the foglights, a new lower air damper, gloss black mirror housings, and blackened mirrors. End. Headlamp groups.
The updates discussed, unveiled in Australia via a single symbol on Toyota’s website, will only be rolled out to the high-end SR5 equivalent of the Hilux Legend in the South African market.
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On the entry-level Workmate, which aligns with the unbadged base of the South African specs and upper S trims, the grille sports a black honeycomb pattern, while the bumper color changes from gray to black. Also available.
Finally, the mid-grade SR, roughly the equivalent of the Raider, gets a silver finish on the skidplate.
While no images of the rear or interior were revealed, Toyota did confirm an uptick in standard equipment, namely dual-zone climate control, push-button start, all-around one-touch electric windows and carpeted floors on the SR.
Front and rear parking sensors are reserved for SR Twin-Cab models supplied with a six-speed automatic transmission.
At the top of the range, the SR5, Rogue (Legend RS) and GR Sport now come with a wireless smartphone charger and, on the rear, a pair of USB Type-C ports and air vents for air conditioning.
Unveiled at Toyota’s annual State of the Automotive Conference last month, the Australian Hilux, which originated in Thailand and not at the Prospecton plant in Durban, also gets the 48-volt mild hybrid formula destined for South Africa, only in crew cabs with automatic transmission and powered by the 2. 8 GD-6 turbodiesel engine.
As in Europe, the inclusion of the hybrid system, which adds 12kW/65Nm to the oil-burner’s 150kW/500Nm for short spells, will be restricted to four-wheel-drive models, which has resulted in the fitting of the Multi-Terrain Select system available on the Land Cruiser 300.
On the Old Continent, the system offers five modes developed specifically for the hybrid hardware, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Snow and Rock, the latter only active when switched to low range.
Due to the release in the U. S. next month and prices to be revealed later, an official announcement from Toyota South Africa confirming the changes is still unknown; however, it is expected that the changes will finally be made sometime before the end. of the year.
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