any where in u.k any one see or find toyota extra cab hilux,nissan or mitsubishi please e-mail me i will negotiate the sooner the better
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| Toyota HiLux Double Cab first drive |
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| Tuesday, 03 January 2012 10:00 |
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have gained a head start over the very strong competition in the pick-up market by releasing their revised 2012 models before the end of December 2011. Ford in January 2012 will debut their all-new Ranger line-up and the traditional best sellers such as the Mitsubishi L200 and Nissan Navara plus the Isuzu Rodeo/Denver will all receive yearly changes. With new UK car sales down by 4.5 per cent for the first 11 months of 2011, commercial vehicle sales, which include double cab pick-ups, were up by 18.6 per cent. Actual sales of new pick-ups were up by 37.8 per cent to 24,461 units in the same period. That is a huge recovery for a market sector decimated a few years ago when the Chancellor deemed that double cabs and cab and a half models with four doors would carry more or less the same level of the Benefit-in-Kind tax as company cars. Business users who for years had enjoyed a tax break loophole having a double cab 4x4 pick-up, ideal for their business and active free-time lifestyles, suddenly were hit with much higher levels of tax and the sales boom for double cabs in particular crashed. So it is surprising that in the last two years, in the difficult business and economic climates, sales of pick-ups have increased significantly, their versatility obviously outweighs the discomfort of paying near car levels of BIK tax. A senior industry automotive director said recently, “In the difficult and uncertain economic climate businesses still feel confident enough to replace their commercial vehicles so that is an encouraging and positive sign.” The Toyota HiLux, now available with its 2012 updates, is one of the main players in the UK’s growing pick up sector. In 2011 they sold 6,336 Double-Cab versions, 362 Extra Cab (cab and half) models and 562 Single Cabs. The range has two turbodiesel engine options, a 2.5-litre with 3,665 sales and the 3.0-litre unit with 3,595 registrations in 2011. Although not quite the market leader for sales in the UK, the HiLux is the best selling pick up range in Europe with 21,866 sold in 2010. But it is truly a product that sells around the World and meets the requirements of being a rugged easy to maintain workhorse right through to the lifestyle and fashion end of the market. More than 13 million HiLux have been sold since 1967 and 2010 saw a 25 per cent in global sales with 549,000 units sold. Two recent news items about the latest HiLux in the UK; E.ON one of our leading power suppliers is providing 12 of their domestic boiler engineers with these go anywhere in all conditions vehicles and Total 4x4 magazine has made the new HiLux their Pick -Up of the Year. Active families, contractors, farmers, one person building businesses, exhibition organisers, Police, Fire and Rescue services and the Airport authorities all use these types of two or four wheel drive versatile vehicles. The vehicles come with a wide range of options from a multitude of different load bed canopies to luxury interiors to serious off-roading winches and other equipment. Whether it is used for towing a stock trailer to a boat, jet ski or caravan the modern 4x4 pick-up meets all those requirements and the Double Cab models add passenger carrying accommodation making them ideal for work or family use.
The revisions also extend to refreshed styling inside and out, with a new frontal treatment, new alloy wheel designs and a dashboard and centre console that strengthen Hilux’s appeal to customers who want a vehicle that is not just a workhorse, but is comfortable and stylish personal transport, too. Depending on the body style and engine chosen, there are three levels of trim and equipment, HL2, HL3 and Invincible. All models have as standard ABS antilock braking, driver and front passenger airbags, air conditioning, electric windows and remote central locking. At the business end of the HiLux is a durable ladder frame chassis with independent double wishbone front suspension and strong leaf springs and dampers at the rear. A rear differential lock is standard fit on 2.5-litre versions and there is selectable on the move two or four wheel drive and four wheel drive low ratio transmission. All 2.5-litre versions have a five speed manual gearbox and the larger engine is available with either five speed manual or automatic transmissions. The 2012 HiLux benefits from a comprehensive re-style from the A-pillar forwards, with a new bonnet, radiator grille, headlamps and bumper, plus new wheel designs and new side bars and steps for the top-of-the-range HiLux Invincible. At the rear the lamp units have been revised with clear indicator lenses and the addition of a silver trim band. The high-mounted stop light also gains a clear lens. All models now come with a rear step bumper, while the Invincible further adds side steps in addition to its chrome side bars for easy access to the cabin. The interior has been revised, too, with new upper dashboard design and horizontal instrument cluster that emphasise the breadth and roominess of the cabin. The new lay-out incorporates the new Toyota Touch multimedia unit with a full colour 6.1-inch touchscreen. This feature consists of a radio/CD player and MP3/WMA Unlike the sportier looking Mitsubishi L200 with its swept back front end, the HiLux retains its traditional upright stance. It is easily identified by its trapezoid front grille with a grey metallic plate bar bonnet air scoop and, on HL3 and Invincible models, round front fog lamps set into the outer corners of the bumper. New-design 15 and 17-inch alloy wheels are featured on the HL3 and Invincible models respectively. The headlamp units have clear lenses for the front turn indicator lights and the upper and lower grilles have a large honeycomb mesh design. Today’s sixth generation HiLux Toyota says is designed to be “one size up” from the previous model, giving both more road presence and more interior space, in keeping with customer preference. The load deck also grew in size, giving 25 per cent greater capacity. Load lengths are 2,340m for the Single Cab, 1,830mm for the Extra Cab and 1,545mm for the Double Cab. With 1,100mm between the wheelarches the load deck of the HiLux can accommodate that all important Euro pallet size load and the all important payload for the Double Cab version ranges from 1,045 to 1,060kgs; truly a ‘one-tonne’ load carrier whether the load is for work or for play. Towing is another important function for double cabs and all versions have an impressive braked towing capacity of 2,500kg. My road test new HiLux was the HL3 Double cab 2.5 D-4D, the single best selling model in the range with a retail on the road price of £22,615. A business user will have the advantage of reclaiming £3,725 VAT off that price. The revised styling smartens up the 2012 HiLux, not something that will concern too many farmers or builders, but for white collar businesses, recreational and lifestyle users driving a smart ‘butch’ big 4x4 is appealing. The interior is much improved, and like the exterior, styled for a changing market. The HL3 level is more about business and lifestyle family use so the upholstery is a higher grade, the fascia coverings look and feel much more expensive and the additional and new instruments look straight out of the SUV rather than a commercial vehicle. Another significant improvement is the ride quality. Leaf rear springs notoriously provide a really hard and uncompromising ride. Toyota at least has conquered that problem somewhat and the ride is now more compliant and comfortable even when pick-ups are at their worst, being driven with no weight in the back to keep them planted on the road. Unladen, the rear end grip can be an issue as it was easy to spin the wheels moving off on damp roads. With ice and wet roads prevailing during my test week the vehicle was mainly used in H4 (high ratio 4x4). Overall fuel consumption, without any off-roading – I know its inherently good anyway) was 30mpg, down on the official Combined Cycle figure of 38.7mpg. The revised Euro 5 emissions 2.5-litre turbodiesel 142bhp four cylinder engine is strong with obligingly good torque of 343NM (253lb ft) from 1,600rpm. The engine is very flexible in town or on winding country roads and with a top speed of 106mph and zero to 62mph taking a steady 13.3 seconds, so it doesn’t have the same pace as a soft SUV off-roader. But in tough off road conditions, towing on or off road and with mud, ice, snow on road and when loads need to be carried it is a viable alternative to a conventional 4x4. The HiLux Double Cab can take the rough with the smooth, hence its high selling worldwide status. MILESTONES. 2012 Toyota HiLux HL3 Double Cab 2.5L D-4D. Price: £22,615 on the road retail, (reclaimable VAT £3,725). Engine/transmission: 2.5-litre, four cylinder, Euro 5 common-rail turbodiesel, 142bhp, 343Nm (253lb ft) from 1,600rpm, 5-speed manual, 2/4WD, high/low ratio transfer box, rear differential lock. Performance: 106mph, 0-62mph 13.3 seconds, 38.7mpg (30mpg actual), CO2 219g/km, VED road tax £210. Payload: 1,045-litres. Braked towing weight: 2,500kg. For: Worldwide reputation for strength, durability and reliability, 2012 updates improve interior specification, ride comfort and clean up engine emissions. Against: Skittish rear end grip on wet roads in 2WD, rear reversing camera more or less useless in bad weather with no guide or ‘distance away’ lines – parking sensors would be more practical, long gear lever that needs to be 2-3-inches shorter as it looks and feels as if it comes from a lorry. Miles Better News Agency Worth Checking - Motoring news - Road Tests
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