|
|
|
|
28/07/2008
By EWAN KENNEDY
|
|
|
Had a TRD HiLux ute on test all last week. For the first 10 minutes I hated it, because of the shrieking engine, firm suspension, squealing tyres and the high driving position. Then something clicked in my brain and for the remaining 167 hours and 50 minutes I loved this hot Toyota – because of the shrieking engine, firm suspension, squealing tyres and the high driving position!
For this is a vehicle unlike any other on the Australian market. Whereas hot utes from HSV and FPV are no longer utes, rather they are full-on sports machines (albeit with very large boots), the TRD HiLux is still a genuine working ute. A ute with a dinkum 4WD system that includes low range for when conditions get really tough.
To expand on my dislikes and likes: The shrieking engine is due to it being supercharged, the all-alloy, twin-cam 4.0-litre V6 produces 225 kW thanks to a rather vocal Eaton M9 supercharger.
That’s 300 horsepower in muscle-ute speak, which is plenty, but the torque results are by far this engine’s most impressive feature; peak torque of 453 Nm is maintained across a wide band from 2800 rpm to 3400 rpm. This not only gives exceptional pulling power, but also aids economy. Fuel consumption of 12.9 litres per 100 kilometres on the official cycle is pretty good for a vehicle in this class.
The big advantage of a supercharger compared with a turbocharger is that it gives virtually instantaneous response to throttle movements. We certainly loved the way the TRD picked up the moment it was asked to perform something like a safe overtaking manoeuvre.
The firm suspension isn’t too bad for a sports ute, but this HiLux is inclined to pitch at times and that can be tiring on long trips on rough roads. Then again, the typical owner is prepared to put up with things like this. Though the passengers may find it rather wearing.
Thanks to the use of Bilstein shock absorbers and a lot of development work on the rear springs, body roll at higher cornering speeds is flatter than you might expect, giving it a fair degree of precision in its handling. The steering is precise and smooth for a working ute and most enjoyable to sit behind.
Larger brakes and standard anti-lock braking gave impressive stopping results on our driving test and illustrate the whole vehicle philosophy behind the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) organisation. Then again it’s been a long time since we drove a high-performance vehicle that had drum brakes at the rear. Theoretically these could overheat if asked to work long and hard on big downhill stretches, though we never struck any troubles with them.
Tyre squeal on hard acceleration exists because this working ute hasn’t been dumbed down by electronics. It’s up to the driver to control the torque the engine sends to the wheels. Which makes it a real pleasure for those who like to make their own decisions. Then again, this is not a vehicle for the inexperienced and/or immature driver.
Though it carries Toyota badges, the TRD HiLux is chiefly an Australian designed and built vehicle. Not just by Toyota, but by other local companies, including Harrop Engineering, and Orbital Engine Co. Final assembly is done by performance-car specialist Prodrive in a factory close to Toyota's Altona plant in Melbourne.
Ours was the relatively plain standard model, tagged the ‘`4000 S’, but even then it weighed in at a pretty substantial $59,990. Pay another $5000 and you get the ‘4000 SL’ with leather seats, a six-disc CD changer and carpet on the floor.
Both variants come only with the HiLux dual-cab body. Which makes sense as these are as much social vehicles as full-on working machines.
This raw-edged Toyota ute won’t appeal to everyone, but those who like a rugged vehicle that demands good driving will love every minute they spend behind the wheel. |
|
|
|
|
|
Print Article
Submit Feedback
Email This Article
