Toyota's tougher HiLux TRD revealed

Toyota’s all-conquering HiLux looks set to take on a fresh American-inspired appearance in its next iteration.

Official images of the Thai-market HiLux Rocco have surfaced this week, revealing a model that will almost certainly be re-branded as the HiLux TRD in Australia.

The new flagship heads a revised HiLux ‘Revo’ line-up in Thailand boasting tweaked front-end styling and running changes to the interior.

Toyota aficionados may spot more than a passing resemblance between the updated HiLux and the US-market Toyota Tacoma. Given Australia’s HiLux is sourced out of Thailand, don’t be surprised if the same revisions reach local showrooms soon. We’re tipping the second half of 2018.

An extension of the HiLux TRD Sport pack already available in Australia, Thailand’s SR5-based Rocco features 18-inch wheels and off-road tyres, a sail-plane roller system, black wheel-arch mouldings and requisite black highlights.

However, in what could be a turn-off for many buyers, it is understood the equivalent Australian TRD will not offer power or torque over and above the current 130kW/450Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel model.

Not only is this a key departure from TRD utilities of old – the short-lived supercharged 4.0-litre V6 TRD springs to mind – but it could see the HiLux lose ground against upcoming rivals including the Ford Ranger Raptor, HSV Colorado and more powerful Volkswagen Amarok.

Toyota Australia was coy on the styling changes and their relevance to the local market.

“This is a global car so different grades and specs are available around the world,” a spokesman said, before adding: “We’d welcome any feedback locally from consumers and what they think of the appearance of the car.”

Toyota has quietly confirmed development of a TRD version of the HiLux – the latest version of which was launched in 2015 and last upgraded in September -- within the next couple of years, and stakeholders are relatively open on its potential.

“At the moment the HiLux and HiLux SR5 are doing well in our marketplace. We’ve updated the Australian model HiLux and we’re responding in that [higher end] market space,” the spokesman said.

“We dipped our toes in the water with the TRD package and we’re looking into that space, there’s nothing more I can say over and above that at this stage.”

Chief among the front-end styling changes are a vertical fog light cluster and boxier grille design, shrouded by carryover headlights and daytime running lights (DRLs).

Inside, too, there are some subtle cosmetic tweaks to the instrument binnacle and dashboard surrounds.

Of more note could be the introduction of new safety technologies including automated emergency braking. While that technology isn’t visibly present on the Thai-market Rocco, it could find its way into Australia, where safety holds a higher priority.

The update would correlate with AEB finding its way into the 2018 Toyota LandCruiser Prado.