Toyota has enhanced the credentials of its best-selling HiLux workhorse by decking out popular Double Cab variants with new safety and convenience technologies.
HiLux - the most popular vehicle of its type in Australia - now offers customers 11 Double Cabs in an extensive range that spans 22 variants.
The latest updates to the Double Cabs are particularly significant because all 4x4 HiLux variants now attract the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating.
A new five-speed automatic transmission improves fuel economy and emissions on 4x4 turbo-diesel HiLux by more than six per cent to 8.7 litres/100km and 230 grams/km++.
HiLux Double Cabs also benefit from a host of other improvements, including new display audio systems and fresh interior colours and materials.
Top-of-the-line SR5 versions gain a reversing camera* and a satellite navigation** system with SUNA™ Live Traffic# updates as standard - all viewed on the display audio screen.
Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the improved HiLux line-up would reinforce the vehicle's marketing-leading position.
"HiLux is popular throughout Australia and these improvements will be welcomed by a wide range of users including mine workers, farmers and other businesspeople who require a tough, reliable vehicle," Mr Cramb said.
"Families will also appreciate the added safety, technology and other features that make travelling in a HiLux even more comfortable," he said.
The updates follow another podium position for HiLux in 2013 as the third best-selling vehicle of any type in Australia.
It has topped the monthly national sales charts on many occasions, including May and June last year - a feat never achieved by any other commercial vehicle.
HiLux has been the country's best-selling four-wheel drive vehicle since 2005 and number one in commercial-vehicle sales since 1998, taking the mantle from LandCruiser.
Australians have embraced HiLux, buying more than 800,000 since the first model arrived in 1971.
The five-star safety rating for 4x4 HiLux is achieved with enhancements including the standard fitment of stability and traction control, brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. Stability control was previously a $1,500 option on the 4x4 mid-range SR grade.
A front passenger seat-belt reminder is also part of the package on 4x4 vehicles and, for Double Cabs, a three-point seatbelt for the centre-rear seating position.
The display audios feature a 6.1-inch screen, auxiliary and USB inputs##, iPod®@ and Bluetooth®^ connectivity, plus audio control switches on the steering wheel hub.
For HiLux SR and SR5, the steering-wheel controls operate a multi-information display (MID), telephone and voice recognition.
The MID, viewed on a liquid crystal display, shows current and average fuel economy, average vehicle speed, cruising range, outside temperature, a compass and time. This feature is new to SR, as are the Optitron dials for speed, engine revs and fuel tank/coolant temperature.
Retail sales of the upgraded Double Cabs began in mid-January, joining the similarly equipped Single and Extra Cabs that began arriving late last year.
As part of the changes, HiLux 4X4 SR5 Extra Cab was upgraded to a 17" alloy wheel (from 15" alloy). SR 4x4 variants have gained a 225/70 17-inch all-terrain tyre.
Double and Extra Cab versions are distinguished by a black interior while Single Cab's cabin features black and grey tones.
Price changes with the expanded feature list are limited to between 1.2 and just under 3.0 per cent. The entry price for the HiLux range remains from $18,990+, with 4x2 Double Cabs now priced from $27,490+ and 4x4 Double Cabs from $40,990+.
Leather-accented seats are newly offered as a $1,500+ option on 4x4 SR5 turbo-diesel Double Cab pick-ups, and includes power adjustment for the driver's seat.
The full HiLux range retains its three body styles, three equipment levels, three engines and three transmissions driving either the rear or all four wheels.
All SR5 variants are pick-ups, while mid-range SR and rugged Workmate grades are also available in cab-chassis specification.
In addition to the 11 Double Cabs there are six Single Cabs and five Extra Cabs, with the total of 22 variants split evenly between 4x2 and 4x4.
The five Workmate variants are exclusive to the 4x2 range. There are 12 SR variants - five 4x2 and seven 4x4. Four of the five SR5 variants are 4x4 equipped.
Fourteen models in the range are fitted with the most popular HiLux engine - the 126kW/343Nm common-rail diesel with electronic direct injection and a variable-vane turbocharger.
Three diesel variants gain the fuel-economy benefit of a five-speed automatic transmission in lieu of the previous four-speed unit. The remaining 11 diesels are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
Customers wanting the 175kW/376Nm V6 petrol engine can choose from four vehicles - three Double Cabs and an Extra Cab, all with a five-speed automatic transmission.
A further four vehicles are fitted with a 116kW/240Nm 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine - Workmate Double and Single Cabs with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
