Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux (also stylized as HiLux and historically as Hi-Lux) is a series of pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Japanese manufacturer Toyota. Most countries used the Hilux name for the entire life of the series but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck. In North America the popular option package, the SR5 (Sport Rally 5-Speed), was colloquially used as a model name for the truck, even though the option package was also used on other Toyota models like the Corolla. In 1984, the Toyota Trekker, the camper version of the Hilux, was renamed as the 4Runner in Australia and North America, and as the Hilux Surfin Japan. In 1995, Toyota introduced a new pickup model, the Tacoma in North America, discontinuing the Hilux/Pickup there. The 4Runner is now a full SUV, and the more recent models do not resemble the Tacoma.

As of 2014, the Toyota Hilux is available worldwide, except Japan, United States, Canada, North Korea, South Korea, and India.

The Hilux started production in March 1968 as the RN10 in short-wheelbase form with a 1.5 L engine, producing 77 PS (57 kW) in Japanese market spec, and in Japan it was available at Toyota Japan dealership retail chains called Toyota Store and Toyopet Store. The modification to the engine was enough for a claimed 130 kilometres per hour (81 mph) top speed.[3] This was upgraded to a 1.6 L inline-four engine in February 1971.

In April 1969, a long-wheelbase version was added to the range. The short-wheelbase version also continued in production for many more years. The long-wheelbase version was not sold on the North American market until 1972. The Hilux was offered as an alternative to theToyota Crown, Toyota Corona, and Toyota Corona Mark II based pickup trucks in Japan, as the Crown, Corona, and Corona Mark II were repositioned as passenger sedans.

In spite of the name "Hilux", it was a luxury vehicle only when compared to the Stout. The Hilux was engineered and assembled by Hino Motorsto replace the earlier vehicle that the Hilux was derived from, called the Briska in the niche beneath the larger and older Stout – it replaced the Stout fully in some markets. For the North American market, the only body style was a regular cab short bed and all were rear-wheel drive. It used a typical truck setup of A-arms and coil springs in front and a live axle with leaf springs in back. A four-speed manual transmission was standard.

In May 1972, the 1973 model year Hilux was released as the RN20. Nicknamed the "ロケハイ　(RokeHi) a Portmanteau of Rocket Hilux", a more comfortable interior was specified along with exterior updates. A 2.25 m (7.4 ft) "long bed" was an option for the first time in North America, although such a version had been available worldwide since April 1969. This received the "RN25" chassis code. The 2.0 liter 18R engine was available in Japan as well, also with an available three-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-litre automatic only managed a 136.1 km/h (84.6 mph) top speed in a period South African road test, in spite of a claimed 89 kW (121 PS).

The Hilux was radically redesigned in 1975 to be larger and with increased standard equipment. In North America the new version also meant the introduction of the considerably larger (2.2 L) 20R engine and the SR5 upscale trim package. A five-speed manual transmission became optional. In North America, the Hilux name was fully phased out in favor of "Truck" by that year, having been dropped from brochures and advertising starting in 1973.

The redesigned Hilux was introduced in August 1978, with a 4WD variant introduced in Jan 1979. The 4WD variant – not offered with any engines smaller than the two-litre "18R" – featured some common technology with the larger Toyota Land Cruiser. Production of the four-wheel drives stopped in July 1983, but some 2WD variations continued in parallel with the next generation. The L series diesel engine was offered on the 2WD variants from September 1979 and the 4WD variants in March 1983. In Japan, the Hilux was joined with the all newToyota MasterAce, sharing load carrying duties, and sold at Toyota Store locations alongside the Hilux.

In North America the Hilux saw the use of four-wheel drive. It had a solid front axle and leaf suspension. The body saw a redesign that included single round headlights and a less complex body. This new 4WD setup featured a gear driven RF1A transfer case. This transfer case is unique in that its low-range reduction portion can be replicated, using what some refer to as a dual or triple transfer case. This results in a much lower overall gear ratio.[9] It was the first Hilux available with an automatic transmission.

In 1981 a vehicle development agreement was established between Toyota, Winnebago Industriesand two other aftermarket customizers. This was to allow Toyota to enter the SUV market in North America. The vehicles which resulted from this collaboration were the Trekker (Winnebago), Wolverine, and the Trailblazer (Griffith). All three used the Hilux 4×4 RV cab and chassis, and an all-fiberglass rear section (the Trailblazer had a steel bed with a fiberglass top). There were at least 1,500 Trekkers, 400 Trailblazers and an unknown number of Wolverines sold in North America. Research and development work on the Trekker led to the development of the 4Runner/Hilux Surf, which was released in 1984.

Toward the end of the SR5's production run (1983½ model year), Toyota introduced the luxuryMojave for the US market as a limited-production (3,500 units) model with options not available on any other Toyota pickup. List priced at US$8,308, it featured bucket seats, two-speaker multiplex radio, chrome front and rear bumpers, and no Toyota logo on either the grille or tailgate. Cruise control, power steering, and air conditioning were optional. It was powered by the SR5's standard 2.4 L (150 cu in) inline four.

Engines:

1978–1983: 1.6 L (1587 cc) 12R SOHC I4, 80 PS (59 kW) at 5200 rpm and 12.5 kg·m (123 N·m) of torque at 3000 rpm (RN30/40)[8]

1981–1983: 1.8 L preflow, 4-speed manual (Australia)

1978–1980: 2.2 L (2189 cc) 20R SOHC I4, 67 kW (91 PS; 90 hp) at 4800 rpm and 165 N·m (122 lb·ft) of torque at 2400 rpm

1981–1983: 2.4 L (2366 cc) 22R SOHC I4, 98 PS; 97 hp (72 kW) at 4800 rpm and 175 N·m (129 lb·ft) of torque at 2800 rpm

1981–1983: 2.2 L diesel I4, 46 kW (63 PS; 62 hp) at 4200 rpm and 126 N·m (93 lb·ft) of torque (SR5 long bed only in the US), LN30/40

he August 1983 redesign (sold as model year 1984 vehicles in North America) introduced the Xtracab extended cab option, with six inches of space behind the seat for in-cab storage. These "1984" models carried over the carbureted 22R engine while model year 1984 also saw the introduction of the fuel injected 22R-E. Two diesel engines were also offered, the 2L and the turbocharged 2L-T. The diesels were discontinued in the U.S. after the 1986 model year, this was due to higher performance expectations from customers and the wide availability of inexpensive gasoline. The next year saw the introduction of a turbocharged option, the 22R-TE, perhaps due to increasing competition from Nissan who already offered a V6 truck at this time. The solid front axle was swapped out for an independent front suspension/torsion bar setup in the 4×4 model in 1986, and optional automatic differential disconnect for the front differential (an alternative to automatic locking hubs) and an electronic transfer case was added as well. A V6 engine was introduced in 1988. The Hilux-based 4Runner which made its entry in Australia, North America and the United Kingdom was based on this generation Hilux; in some other markets, such as Japan, it was called the Hilux Surf.

Toyota introduced a new generation of the Hilux in most markets in late 1988 but the fourth generation remained in production until 1997 in South Africa. Toyota says this was due to South African "content laws" which made it cheaper to continue to produce the fourth generation Hilux, rather than to retool the plant for the fifth generation.

The next redesign, in 1988, produced a longer-wheelbase option, 3,099 mm (122 in) rather than 2,616 mm (103 in) for the regular wheelbase. Its one-piece cargo-box walls eliminated the rust-prone seams that were found in earlier models. The V6 Xtracab SR5 earnedMotor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year award that year. The Xtra Cabs now featured more room behind the front seats than the last generation which allowed optional jump-seats for rear passengers, a feature more in line with competitors of the time.

In 1991, American production began at the NUMMI plant in Fremont, California (the VIN on these cars starts with '4T'), however some trucks sold in the United States during the 91–95 model years were still manufactured in Japan (VIN starts with 'JT').

The Hilux received a minor facelift in 1991 (for the 1992 model year), which was a minor grille change and the new Toyota emblem that had been recently adopted.

It was during this generation that Toyota discontinued the Hilux in the United States, replacing it with the new Tacoma in 1995.

Engines:

1988–1995: 1.8 L (1,812 cc) 2Y-U I4, 58 kW (79 PS; 78 hp) at 5,000rpm 140 N·m (100 lb·ft) at 3,200rpm

2Y I4, 61 kW (83 PS; 82 hp) at 4,800rpm 140 N·m (100 lb·ft) at 2,800rpm (export markets)[12]

1989–1997: 2.4 L (2,366 cc) 22R-E SOHC EFI I4, 84 kW (114 PS; 113 hp) at 4,600 rpm and 192 N·m (142 lb·ft) at 3,400 rpm

1989–1995: 3.0 L (2,958 cc) 3VZ-E V6, 112 kW (152 PS; 150 hp) at 4,800 rpm

1989–1997: 2.4 L (2,446 cc) 2L-II diesel I4, 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) at 4,200 rpm and 167 N·m (123 lb·ft) at 2,400 rpm[13]

2.8 L (2,779 cc) 3L diesel I4, 67 kW (91 PS; 90 hp) at 4,000 rpm and 188 N·m (139 lb·ft) at 2,400 rpm

Volkswagen built and marketed them under the Volkswagen Taro name from February 1989 to March 1997.

For sales in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, the Hilux was produced in Colombia from 1994 to 1998 by the SOFASA company (only equipped with the 2.4 l petrol engine). For sales in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, the Hilux was produced in Argentina from 1997 through 2005 (Zárate Plant – both petrol and diesel engines). For sales in Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Peru, the Hilux was imported from factories in Japan from 1989 to 1997 (petrol and diesel engines).

South American markets:

single cab chassis (2WD, 4WD petrol engines) (Colombia and Ecuador)

single cab long bed (2WD,4WD, petrol and diesel engines) (all South American countries; diesel engine not available in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela)

xtra cab (2WD, 4WD, petrol) (Only Bolivia)

crew cab (2WD,4WD, petrol and diesel engines)(All South American countries; Diesel engine not available in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela)

Engines:

1998–2001 2.0 L (1,998 cc) 1RZ-E 8 Valve SOHC I4 (Hilux 'Workmate' models in Australia) (4×2)

1998–1999 3.0 L (2,986 cc) 5L diesel I4, 72 kW (98 PS; 97 hp) (4×4)

1995–2004 2.4 L (2438 cc) 2RZ-FE 16-valve DOHC I4, 106 kW (144 PS; 142 hp) (4×2)

1995–2004 2.7 L (2693 cc) 3RZ-FE 16-valve DOHC I4, 112 kW (152 PS; 150 hp) (4×4)

1995–2004 3.4 L 5VZ-FE 24-valve DOHC V6, 142 kW (193 PS; 190 hp)

The Hilux was produced in Colombia for sales in Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador from 1998 to 2005 by the SOFASA company (with only petrol engines 2.7 L). In Venezuela and Ecuador, the single-cab 2WD chassis/long bed is called the Stout II). For sales in Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, it was imported from Japan from 1998 through 2004 (petrol engined 2.7 L, and diesel engined 2.8 L). This model was not sold in Argentina or Brazil because the fifth generation Hilux had received a redesign and upgrade.

South American markets:

single cab chassis (2WD, 4WD petrol engines) (for sales in Colombia and Ecuador)

single cab long bed (2WD,4WD, petrol and diesel engines) (all South American countries)

Xtracab (4WD, petrol and diesel engines) (in Bolivia only)

crew cab (2WD,4WD, petrol and diesel engines)(all South American countries) (Named the Hilux Millenium from 2002 through the present)

Toyota shifted production from the Hilux Mighty-X (fifth generation) to the Hilux Tiger (sixth generation) in the late 1990s and made it the global export hub. The Thailand-made Hilux Tiger went through the following versions:

1998–1999: Hilux Tiger with the 3.0 L 5L engine

2000–2001: Hilux Tiger with the 3.0 L 5L-E EFI engine

2001: Hilux Tiger with 1KZ engine (short lived replaced right away with D4D engine)

Late 2001 – late 2004: Hilux Tiger SportCruiser with D4D engine

In 2005, Toyota ceased production of the Hilux truck for the Japanese market. This was the last generation Hilux to be available (or built) in Japan.

The seventh generation Hilux (AN10/AN20/AN30), part of the IMV program, started production in Thailand during August 2004. Three pickup truck body variants were initially produced: a two-door Single Cab (referred to by Toyota as IMV1), a two-door Xtra Cab (IMV2), and four-door Double Cab (IMV3). In September 2008, Toyota released the Smart Cab, a four-door with hidden rear suicide doors. The IMV program also spawned the Toyota Innova (AN40) minivan (IMV4) and Toyota Fortuner (AN50/AN60) SUV (IMV5). The similar Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, introduced in February 2004 for the 2005 model year, is based on the 4Runner chassis, while the AN10/AN20/AN30 Hilux rides on an revamped version of the ladder frame found on previous versions. The Hilux increased in size and then became classified as a mid-size pick up.

Hilux models sold in Asian, Europen, Middle Eastern, and Oceanian markets are built and assembled in Thailand. In Thailand, the vehicle is called the Hilux Vigo, or simply Vigo. For other European markets and South Africa, the Hilux is built in Durban, South Africa. As of December 2009, it is the best selling vehicle in South Africa. Those sold in South America are made in Argentina, as with the previous generation Hilux. However, the engines are built in Japan (where they are also used in the Prado) instead of Argentina.

In Malaysia, the Hilux is only available in 2.5 L with the option of single cab or double cab. The double cab model has an automatic transmission variant. It uses the same engine as other Asian countries (in-line, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC Turbo Diesel with common rail direct injection), however engines used in Malaysia differ in their maximum output of 75 kW (101 hp) at 3600 rpm and maximum torque of 260 N·m (192 lbf·ft) at 1600–2400 rpm.

In Singapore, the Hilux is available as a single cab with the 2.5 L engine or a double cab with the 3.0 L engine. Notable fleet customers include private taxi operators, for whom the double cab model offers additional load space versatility, and the Singapore Police Force andPakistan Police, which employs it as a patrol vehicle.

This generation was revealed for Argentina on 2 March 2005 in Buenos Aires with a market launch in April.

Two Hilux pickups were entered in recent years of the Dakar Rally by the Imperial Toyota team of South Africa. Driver Giniel de Villiersachieved third place in 2012, second place overall in 2013, 4th in 2014, and again second place in 2015. These however, were heavily modified non-production versions built around a custom racing-only tubular chassis and using a larger capacity Toyota V8 engine.

Engines (markets):

2005 2.0 L gasoline VVT-i DOHC I4 (South Africa, Indonesia and Middle East)

2005 2.5 L diesel D-4D DOHC I4, 76 kW (102 hp) – 107 kW (145 PS; 143 hp) (Asia, Europe, South Africa, South America)

2005 2.7 L gasoline VVT-i DOHC I4, 119 kW (162 PS; 160 hp) (Australia, Arabian Peninsula, The Philippines, South Africa, Venezuela)

2005 3.0 L diesel D-4D DOHC I4, Turbodiesel, commonrail 16-valve direct injection, 121 kW (165 PS; 162 hp) (Asia, South Africa, South America, Australia, Europe). This version is made at Toyota's facility in Zárate, Argentina.

2005 4.0 L gasoline VVT-i DOHC V6, 170 kW (231 PS; 228 hp) – 176 kW (236 hp) (Australia, South Africa, Venezuela, China)

2008 4.0 L Supercharged DOHC V6 225 kW (306 PS; 302 hp) (Australia only, TRD Hilux 4000S & 4000SL)

2008 facelift

A facelifted version of the Hilux was unveiled by Toyota's Malaysian distributors, UMW Toyota Motor, in August 2008. Toyota has released a left hand drive facelifted Hilux Vigo in August 2008 while a right hand drive facelifted model is expected to be released in September 2008. These facelifted models were introduced to the Philippines in October 2008.

Toyota also introduced a four-door rear access system called "Smart Cab" to replace all Xtra Cab models in E and G grade. The Smart Cab models were developed in Thailand and were only sold in the Thai market.

2011 facelift

On 13 July 2011, Toyota announced that the Hilux would receive an upgrade, including a redesigned front end and other external styling changes, changes to the interior and a new turbocharged diesel engine capable of 106 kW (142 hp) and 343 N·m (253 lb·ft) of torque, as well as lower fuel consumption compared to the previous model. This update was initially launched in Thailand.

The Thailand version of 2012 Toyota Hilux Vigo "Champ" is a significant "minor" change with a new front look and a revamped interior to reinforce perceived luxuriousness. The front is redesigned from the A pillar forwards. With the exception of doors, roofs and tailgates, everything else is new: new guards, new headlights, new bumper, new bonnet, new three-bar grille, new taillights, a new rear bumper, new models badge and other. There are also new mirrors and new alloy wheel designs. The interior features a new upper dashboard design with a new horizontal centre instrument cluster. Perceived quality has been improved through the adoption of uniformly darker finishes with greater colour consistency throughout the interior. The high-end Double Cab version now comes with a DVD player, rear camera and Bluetooth functionality.

In August 2012, Toyota updated Toyota Hilux Vigo "Champ" in Thailand for the 2013 model year. This minor update upgraded emission standard to Euro 4, updated four-speed automatic transmission to five-speeds, upgraded performance of the 3.0-liter model from 163 to 171 hp (122 to 128 kW) and upped torque from 343 to 360 N·m (253 to 266 ft·lb), and the Prerunner 4x2 was introduced with automatic. Other changes included more efficient fuel injection system and addition of center headrest on rear double cab seat.

The eighth generation Toyota Hilux was officially released simultaneously on 21 May 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand and Sydney, Australia.The Thai and Lao market also adopted a new name, Toyota Hilux Revo. The Hilux uses the "Keen Look" design language that has already been used in the Toyota Corolla (E170) with slim projector headlights and LED DRL (Daytime Running Lights). This design continues into the interior with similar AC vent and center fascia design. This generation features Toyota's first autonomous emergency braking (AEB). New ESTEC GD 2.4-litre, 2.8-litre and KD 2.5-litre, 3.0 litre diesel engines, shared with the Fortuner and Innova, were combined with a five- or six-speed manual transmission or a five- or six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.The 2.8-litre GD engine was introduced in May 2015 at the 36th International Vienna Motor Symposium. The 2.0, 2.7- and 4.0-litre petrol engines from the previous generation will be reused with a Dual VVT-i update for the three engines to increase power and torque. However, the car would hit the showrooms in October, 5 months after its official release.