Toyota building life-size HiLux Tonka

Toyota Australia is building a Tonka-inspired version of its popular HiLux. The yellow and black-clad 'monster truck' is being made as a one-off, fully driveable concept car to celebrate both Toyota's 80th anniversary and Tonka's 70th.

Custom suspension, wheels and tyres, and a significantly revamped approach angle will transform the HiLux into a formidable rock climber, suitable for any adult-sized sandpit. The grille, tailgate, wheel arches and door moulding are also bespoke to the eye-popping project car, which shares its powertrain and underpinnings with the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel-powered HiLux SR5 double-cab 4X4.

"We expect the extreme style and capability of our re-imagined HiLux will capture the imagination of kids and adults alike," said Toyota Australia product design chief, Nicolas Hogios.

"HiLux is such a great canvas, and we really pushed the envelope by marrying our number-one seller with the Tonka brand. The end result is so exciting because the HiLux Tonka really delivers the dream of every Australian kid who ever wanted such a truck," he said.

Almost every panel of the HiLux Tonka has undergone a transformation, only adding to the model's "unbreakable" reputation.

Celebrating its 45th year, the Toyota HiLux is the first ute to top the national sales ladder in a calendar year, and has lead Australia's 4X4 ute sales chart for the last 12 years running.

Toyota says its concept model shows how much a part of the global design process its local team is, ensuring models including the HiLux are fit for Aussie conditions.

The HiLux Tonka concept is expected to tour Toyota dealerships nationwide from later this year.