By Ewan Kennedy
A huge, ultra-conservative car maker like Toyota never does anything in a hurry. Yet even by its own standards, the length of time taken for Toyota to move into the sports ute market segment could be considered excessive.
The giant has finally stirred – and come up with a HiLux sports ute that is worth the wait.
Toyota HiLux Black is based on the SR5 4WD double-cab pickup.
Toyota tells us fewer than 1000 Blacks are being produced, but it doesn’t nominate an exact number. Strange, but it would be worth your while to visit your local Toyota dealer asap as sales are likely to be fast and furious.
Toyota’s performance division, TRD, aided the design of the cosmetic enhancements so a TRD logo appears on the wheel caps and the front bumper extension.
Toyota HiLux Black is on sale now in a range of exterior and interior designs, all presented in bold black to match the vehicle’s famed toughness. Black side steps and sports bar are immediate standouts, as are the 17-inch alloy wheels, painted black behind brightly machined, six-spoke faces.
The large black lower front grille features a red stripe along the bottom edge. LED daylight running lamps are specified for the first time on a HiLux in Australia. Black extensions below the foglight surrounds also make a statement.
Prominent new front and rear bumpers, not offered in Australia up till now, give the HiLux Black a planted stance. Special-edition badges located discreetly on the front and
rear bumpers further distinguish the HiLux Black. Leather-accented black interior trim is part of the package, as is a six-way, power-operated driver’s seat. The Black has a reversing camera and a satellite navigation system with Suna live traffic updates. A handy-sized 15.5cm screen is used, making audio navigation simpler also.
Despite this special edition pickup, Toyota says it hasn’t forgotten HiLux’s day-to-day strengths, including its unbreakable image.
The colour choice is black and white Toyota Australia has specified Eclipse Black and Glacier White as the only exterior paint options for this special-edition HiLux, which is powered by a 3.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, with either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, the latter adding a hefty $2750. The manual in white is priced from $53,240; opting for black is $550 extra. Like all HiLuxes, the Black is covered by Toyota
service advantage.
