Brisbane show: TRD HiLux emerges

TOYOTA has taken the wraps of its production-ready TRD HiLux for the first time, with the force-fed dual-cab 4x4 version of Queensland’s top-selling vehicle making its Australian debut at the Brisbane motor show on Friday. Due on sale later than expected in April due to what one executive described as “a certification cock-up on our part”, Toyota confirmed its homegrown super-ute will be powered by a supercharged version of the HiLux’s 175kW 4.0-litre V6 that produces “at least 225kW and more than 400Nm” (up more than 25 per cent and almost 20 per cent respectively).

The blown 4.0 V6 employs a different Eaton supercharger to the TRD Aurion’s 241kW 3.5 V6, and this time is also intercooled.

Also evident from its Brisbane appearance was the fact that, like the TRD Aurion, the TRD HiLux will be available in two equipment grades: the base S aimed at trades people and the SL aimed at recreational buyers. Both versions will feature an upgraded engine, suspension, brakes, wheels and styling - including “4000 SL” badging on the show car, which also featured red leather seat, steering wheel and gearshift trim.

Toyota, which sold more than 50,000 vehicles in Queensland for the first time last year and whose HiLux attracted 23 per cent more sales in the state year-on-year to lead Holden’s Commodore by 2600 sales for the first time, says confirmation of a third TRD model is “very close”.

Read more:

First look: Toyota reveals hottest ever HiLux

TRD Aurion returns but hot HiLux delayed