Toyota HiLux gets Lexus V8
Stir-crazy 335kW HiLux worth over $100,000 celebrates sales milestone for popular uteToyota's South African arm has built a very special one-off HiLux powered by a race-spec 5.0-litre V8 engine, which cost around one million Rand – or $104,000 – to develop.
Built to celebrate the one-millionth sale of the Toyota HiLux ute in South Africa, the vehicle has been named the 'Toyota Hilux Racing Experience' and is based on the soon-to-be-superseded seventh-generation ute.
The new eighth-generation HiLux ute will be available in Australia from next month.
Stripped back then upgraded with a significantly beefier chassis and powertrain, the vehicle can be seen in full-noise sideways action off-road in this accompanying video.
The goal was to create a vehicle as close as possible to the hard-core Dakar competition ute, says Toyota SA Motorsport, which built the desert dueller. And it's got plenty more poke than the 225kW Aussie-tuned Toyota TRD HiLux that made it's local debut in 2008.
Indeed, the 335kW V8 peaks at 6000rpm and features a Pectel Cosworth engine management system, Dakar-spec intake manifold and a new exhaust system that will ensure the vehicle's arrival is heard before it's seen.
Unlike Dakar-spec vehicles this one doesn't have an air-restrictor so top speed is much higher than competition cars. An AP racing clutch is also fitted to deal with the extra herbs.
"[It's] Most likely the most powerful HiLux ute ever built," says Toyota SA Motorsport boss Glyn Hall of the high-performance load-lugger's 5.0-litre V8 that's usually found in high-end Lexus performance cars, such as the RC F coupe.
"It'll open a few eyes, that's for sure! And in capable hands it'll be quite a weapon," observes Hall.
Other mods to the hectic HiLux include re-engineered front and rear differentials to cope with high-speed off-roading, not to mention new (adjustable) dampers, softer rear springs, bigger 350mm front brakes rotors and 18-inch alloy wheels and chunky off-road rubber.
It's understood Toyota SA has received several orders for the vehicle, though it's unlikely it will be offered to the public.
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