Toyota recently unveiled recent specs Hilux, revealing that the pickup truck, which will be on sale in March, will be positioned in our market’s lifestyle sector. “We noticed a growing trend among consumers who want lifestyle utility cars. In a recent update Asia Hilux claim that, “We are launching the Toyota Hilux in the Thailand market to cater to those kinds of needs for off-roading and going on adventure drives, in addition to regular use.”

• Flatbed is projected to be Hilux’s major USP when combined with extras. Powertrain is optimized for load-lugging and severe off-road conditions.
• Toyota’s Karnataka plant will build the vehicle, with 30 percent of the parts being made locally.

Toyota Fortuner will appeal to a different set of customers than the Hilux.

Despite the fact that the Hilux is a 4×4, body-on-frame utility vehicle like the Fortuner, Toyota believes the pickup will appeal to an entirely other niche – one that it can help grow.

While the Fortuner is popular among large SUV purchasers, Horizon believes the Hilux will appeal to those who want to “make a statement.”

The flatbed, which measures 1,555mm x 1,540mm and can carry a load of up to 470 kg, will be the key selling point for the double-cab Hilux. “The deck will allow unrivalled flexibility to transport anything – from outdoor goods to a sports equipment,” says Toyota’s top engineer. As a result, that will be the type of usage that distinguishes a Hilux client from a Fortuner customer.”

Additionally, purchasers can accessories the pickup’s flatbed to make it more adaptable. “People in other markets adapt it to go camping, fishing, or to the mountains”. In a similar vein, Toyota’s website has already listed some Hilux accessories. “I predict that demand for such a lifestyle utility vehicle would skyrocket in Thailand, and that niche will grow even further.”

Hilux powertrain calibrated for load-lugging, off-road use

The Hilux and Fortuner both have a 2.8-litre diesel engine that produces 204 horsepower. “However, the detailed tuning differs between the SUV and the pickup,”. In keeping with its intended use, the Hilux has been designed for load-lugging and off-road capability.

“In terms of hauling stuff or people and travelling through tough 4×4 conditions, the use case [of both models] is significantly different.” That’s the type of minor thing we’ve looked into.”

Four-wheel drive is standard on the Hilux. Similar to the three-row SUV, a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission is available. However, there are some distinctions here as well. “We re-calibrated from the ground up to match each vehicle’s usage behavior individually. As a result, not only will the engine calibration be different, but the gearing will as well,”.

The transmission has also been tweaked to account for local driving tendencies. Low-end torque, for example, has been prioritized to deal with some drivers’ habit of maintaining a higher gear even when slowing down. “It’s absolutely unique the Toyota engineer explained.

He went on to say that while fine-tuning the pickup, the company took into account the country’s hot and humid climate, as well as a few other factors. “We’ve previously simulated a circumstance in which you’re driving up a slope with five passengers and luggage, and the ambient temperature is roughly 45 degrees Celsius. We can also check the actual usage circumstances.”