Toyota has had another shot at a TRD HiLux, however, have hit even further from the mark this time around.
Despite wearing the same Toyota and TRD badges as a rather serious Formula 1 race car, the HiLux has fallen so very short of the mark. One would be forgiven for thinking someone had just slapped on some stickers and a bumper from eBay. Oh and thrown a few grand on the price, because well, they can.
Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t look too bad with the changed up grille and bumper, some might even call it aggressive. But the aesthetics are where the “not too bad” stops.
The only engine option is the 2.8 turbo diesel, gone is the supercharged v6 (and with it the performance). Now, the 4 litre with the M90 Eaton blower on the side isn’t going to blow anyone’s socks off, but it’s a hell of a lot punchier than a 2.8 diesel. Especially for a vehicle fitted with “Toyota Racing Development” stickers. I’m yet to find the racing part of the TRD acronym.
Also not found anywhere near this thing are suspension components from the likes of Bilstein. Just the bog stock SR5 suspension setup.
So far as Toyota has explained this thing, it’s an SR5 Hilux, with a few stickers, a “Racing leather trimmed gear knob”, and some floor mats.
For the list of actual additions Toyota has added to their TRD HiLux; A red TRD Branded skid plate, a “Racing leather bound gear knob” (no, really), TRD grille, bumper and flares, “edgy” 18″ wheels, a black (instead of chrome) painted sports bar, tail light covers, and a free tow pack?
The worst thing is that I love Tojo’s, I have and do own a bunch, and was actually looking forward to seeing what they’d come up with this time round. I can’t help the expansive disappointment I’m feeling right now.
So on behalf of about half the population of Australia:
Toyota, where is our supercharged 5.7L 3UR-FE powered 504 HP HiLux? Why isn’t it on Bilstein shocks? Why isn’t it rolling on -44 offset rims and 6″ flares? Why didn’t you just bring the Tundra TRD Pro Baja 1000 over here and call it the TRD HiLux? Why Toyota, why? I’m just about drowning in frustration here!
The funny part is, we thought you were pretty far from the mark with the first TRD HiLux 10 years ago… boy were we wrong.
But seriously Toyota, what happened folks? You used to be the cool kids.
