New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 European Launch
Volkswagen’s Crafter has undergone a midlife makeover and gets a new front-end along with new Euro 5 engines… Read More
Revised Hilux for 2012 model year
In the face of mounting competition in the shape of the all-new Ford Ranger (due this December), Isuzu Rodeo (early 2012) and Volkswagen’s Amarok (already on sale) Toyota has given the Hilux pick-up a makeover for the 2012 model year. Available in the UK from this October it gets revised styling from the A-pillar forwards, with a new bonnet — retaining an intercooler air-scoop — redesigned radiator grille, headlamps and bumper, plus new wheel designs and new side bars and steps for the top-of-the-range Invincible models.
The current 142hp 2.5-litre and 169hp 3.0-litre D-4D diesels are carried over, along with their five-speed transmissions, but with the addition of a Diesel Particulate Filter and some engine management tweaks. As a result combined cycle fuel consumption for the former has improved by more than 10 per cent to 38.7mpg while CO2 emissions drop to 194g/km. Combined cycle figures for the latter — on sale solely in top-spec Invincible trim — improve from 34.0mpg to 36.7mpg and 31.7mpg to 32.8mpg for the manual (MT) and auto (AT) model respectively. CO2 output drops to 203g/km on the MT and 227g/km for the AT.
Inside the cab there’s a redesigned dashboard and new instrument cluster, and the former can now accommodate Toyota’s Touch multimedia system with it’s 6.1in colour touchscreen. It comes complete with a rear view camera, Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port, and is standard on HL3 and Invincible models.Hilux will remain available in three distinct four-wheel drive body configurations — Single, Extra and Double Cab — and basic prices (excl VAT) start at £16,090 for the Single Cab with HL2 specification.
An all-new Hilux is not expected to make an appearance until late 2013 at the earliest.
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Latest Features
Show Preview: CV Show 2012
This year's Commercial Vehicle Show is returning to the NEC Birmingham on 24 – 26 April following a very successful 2011 event… Read More
Vans of the Year Awards 2012
Each year we sit down and decide which, in our opinion, are best light commercials around in each market segment… Read More
Manheim: Used Van Market 2011
Manheim Remarketing reports on used van values and trends in 2011… Read More
Iveco: State of the Nation 2012
The Italian van and truck manufacturer takes a look back at the 2011 UK van market… Read More
Bridgestone Eco-Rally 2011
Environmentally-friendly transport can be fun, as we discovered courtesy of a Transit Connect Electric… Read More
Euro 5 Switchover
There’s a flurry of activity in the 3.5 tonne panel van market and the reason is the impending October deadline for new vans to meet Euro 5 emissions levels… Read More
ESP on Vans Explained
ESP, or Electronic Stability Programme to give it its full title, is either standard or available as an option on all light commercials. But what is it exactly? Read More