More comfort from the Hilux pick-up

Toyota has announced a new version of the Hilux pick-up, one of the most popular 4x4 pick-ups on the Irish market. The new model aims to deliver passenger car comfort. From the front, the new trapezoid front grille with its metallic grey plate bar reflects its rugged good looks and the bumper has also been redesigned with a larger, wider opening, suggesting a lower centre of gravity. Moving away from the front bumper, the strong, muscular lines sweep through to the rear, accentuated by newly designed 15' alloy wheels on Double Cab SR grade models and brand new 17' alloys on Double Cab SR-X grade. The comfort improvements have been achieved by changes to the suspension to ensure stable handling and optimum reliability. The new Hilux is fitted with new double-row roller-type rear axle bearings and a more responsive valve structure on the front shock absorbers. Toyota claims that road surface vibrations, already low due to the high torsional stiffness of the suspension design, are further reduced by new suspension bushes. Toyota has combined the suspension improvements with quieter engines and sound-reduction technology to produce a refined hush, even at speed. This is claimed to deliver comfort more like a passenger car than a rugged utility vehicle. Viewed from inside, there"s a feeling of 'passenger car" comfort, starting with the redesigned four-spoke steering wheel, with new fingertip audio controls and multi-information display switches. The steering wheel and gearshift knob are leather on the 3.0 D-4D Double Cab model. The instrument cluster has been enhanced with clearer indicators while attention to detail has resulted in more easily readable light and wiper controls, and a redesigned, more ergonomic shift console for the manual transmission. A new automatic air conditioning system has intuitive push-type heating controls with a digital display. Selected temperature, vent and air inlet mode are all displayed clearly on the LCD screen, while dust and pollen are removed by a highly efficient air cleaner filter. All 3.0 D-4D Double Cab models now come with new sports seats. These are designed for extra comfort as well as good looks, with broader, deeper support on the sides and back. The new Hilux features two advanced Toyota diesel engines, the 2.5 D-4D and the 3.0 D-4D. Toyota claims these second generation common-rail diesel power units are refined and quiet, delivering smooth, potent performance throughout the rev range. High efficiency turbochargers ensure low fuel consumption and lower emissions. The 2.5 D-4D engine, boasting 120bhp and 325Nm of torque, is available as two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive, both with five-speed manual transmission. Even at low revs (from 1,600 rpm), this workhorse engine develops a minimum of 300Nm of torque. On the combined cycle, the 2009 Hilux 2.5 delivers fuel consumption from 7.4 litres/100 km to 8.3 litres/100km, depending on the version chosen. The 3.0L D-4D, only available on the Double Cab, gives the Hilux a leading power to weight ratio with 171bhp. Engine torque has been boosted in the automatic version by 17Nm to 360Nm, between 1,400rpm and 3,400rpm.