Plenty of bite in Mako
IN rugby terms, the story of the latest Hilux is akin to a great test match that looks like being an opposition romp — until an outcomeswinging lastminute local comeback.
Before getting into that, here’s a question: How do you feel about being told everything good about a Kiwi icon ute is due to Aussie input?
At its own release of the MY21 line, Toyota Australia has reinforced how much of its own effort went into reengineering and redesigning the onetonner that still probably sells as a core element of the Kiwi lifestyle.
From Toyota Australia’s general manager of product planning and development, Rod Ferguson: “I'm sure if Hilux could talk, it would definitely have a strong Aussie accent.”
Fair call? Well, it’s credible. Much of the development for the model’s midlife facelift occurred there; Toyota's Melbourne design centre crafted the facelift and Australian engineers handled the lion’s share of the engineering rework.
Don’t let it get to you. For one, they’ve done a brilliant job. For another? A neat Kiwi trump card has now been played. It’s a variant called Mako and it’s a Hilux unlike any other. Anywhere.
That will sound like a bold statement to make about the new flagship whose creation is a story in itself. Distilling everything down, having decided it needed a hero truck to take on the Ford Ranger Raptor and discovering that Toyota Japan couldn’t oblige, TNZ decided to create a homegrown special, built on demand.
To get a Mako, you must first buy the most expensive mainstream diesel auto Hilux double cab, the SR5 Cruiser, then have it sent off for a refurb, adding $21,000 to the sticker.
Mako uses quite a few trim bits — notably the entire front bumper, but also the bash plates underneath, LED light bar, easyaccess recovery hooks, unique fender flares, side steps and customised tray — from something Aussies know and only get, a model called the Hilux RuggedX.
The Kiwi version, however, goes a few steps further with an increased suspension lift, unique black Rhino 18inch alloys and Maxxis RAZR AllTerrain tyres. The suspension changes see an ARB Old Man Emu setup used for 40mm lift front and 50mm lift rear; this includes bypass shocks with adjustable compression and rebound control. The leaf springs have also been upgraded.
The refit has seriously impressed across the Tasman. They’re a little chastened by how the RuggedX seems puny by comparison. The world’s best Hilux? Well, they’ve suggested it might be. Having wangled, subsequent to the revised Hilux press launch, a day in the sole example so far created, I reckon Mako is definitely a game winner.
While Mako will raise Hilux’s status, it’s the mainstream line that’ll do the heavy lifting saleswise.
It’s now an 18strong lineup not including Mako, in which, across the board, prices have edged upwards slightly by either $1000 or $1500 on 4x2 models and between $500 and $2500 for 4x4 models.
A styling makeover that borrows some cues from Toyota’s North American market trucks, retuned suspension and more powerful engines for all diesel models are core changes, plus there’s additional tech, including new connectivity to enhance the user experience.
The core 2.8litre turbodiesel now has another 20kW, while peak torque on auto diesels climbs 50Nm. Manuals have an unchanged 420Nm torque peak but it’s available across a broader rev range.
SPECIFICATIONS
Prices: $28,990$58,990
Engine: 2.8litre turbodiesel fourcylinder, max power 150kW, max torque 420Nm (sixspeed manual)/500Nm (sixspeed auto)
Transmission: Sixspeed auto
and manual, rearwheel drive
Brakes & stability systems: Front disc brakes, rear drum brakes,
ABS, Toyota Safety Sense, DAC, EBD, HAS, TRC, VSC, TSC
Safety: Fivestar Ancap
(pre2020 testing schedule)
Wheels & tyres: Steel and alloy,
225/70 R17 and 265/60 R18
Fuel & economy: Diesel, 7.1L/100km10.9L/100km, tank capacity 80 litres
Emissions: 187g212g CO2/km
Dimensions: Length 52555325mm, width 18151900mm, height 17951815mm
The performance boost is the result of a new cylinder block and pistons, a larger turbo, new exhaust manifold, increased fuel injection pressure and cooling improvements. It’s accompanied by a 10% reduction in fuel consumption and 11% lower CO2 emissions.
The big change inside is impossible to miss. All MY21s gain a larger 8.0inch touchscreen — in place of previous 6.0 and 7.0inch screens — which is a significant benefit, not least because it hosts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.