Half a century of life always deserves a special celebration. In the case of Toyota Portugal, it is even a reason for a double celebration. not only the Toyota Hilux celebrates 50 springs, as the brand also celebrates 50 years of presence in Portugal.
It's 50 years of life for a model that over the decades has earned the reputation of being robust and practically indestructible, and is now one of the best-selling pick-up trucks on the planet. It has been the segment leader in Portugal for the past five years, and even manages to shine as an absolute sales leader in the Australian market.
And to celebrate 50 years of Hilux, there was really only one way… On the road and off.
The trip
The goal was set: to lift the Hilux from Toyota's facilities in Sacavém and take it to the Alentejo — to Herdade da Cortesia in Avis, which served as the basis for this event — with the bonus of being able to watch the next day. launch of yet another Baja Portalegre 500 — the final results place João Ramos's thriving and “noisy” Hilux (below) on the podium.
The schedule was controlled, so there was no time for adventurous detours, with much of the route being on the monotonous highway. It's not exactly the scenario for which we're thinking of taking a Hilux, but it's such the refinement and even comfort of pick-ups like the Hilux today, that it turned out to be as capable as any other car.
Refined and comfortable, despite the leaf springs at the rear, it also hides the speed at which you are moving very well — perhaps due to the elevated driving position — so it is very easy to reach speeds that are not recommended (there were some surprises when looking at the speedometer), even on the secondary roads that marked the last third of the trip.
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The best was to come when they reached their final destination, with all the Toyota Hilux in the caravan heading for “the bush”. Opportunity to check out some off-road capabilities — steep downhills and hills and some side-slopes — and try out the various drive modes to choose from — 2WD, “high” 4WD, and “low” 4WD. The ride wasn't particularly challenging, but there was a “smell” of Hilux's capabilities.
A second route, behind the wheel of the Toyota Hilux Premium Edition, the new top of the range, allowed testing the dynamic capabilities of the pick-up off the asphalt at much higher speeds, surprising the confidence that Hilux conveys in a more attacking drive — after of the kart tracks, here is the idea of creating some Hiluxódromos…
historic meeting
There was an opportunity to have a brief meeting with two generations that preceded it, and we also got to know a little better the history of this pick-up, which has already spanned eight generations.
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The first generation appeared in 1968 and the name Hilux results, in an intriguing way, from the combination of two words, “High” and “Luxury”, meaning high luxury or high luxury. A curious name for what is, fundamentally, a work vehicle. However, it was Toyota's way of highlighting its approach of this new pick-up to the sedans of the time, moving away from more utilitarian proposals and direct and indirect predecessors.
It was not until the third generation that four-wheel drive was introduced, and it was not until 1983 that Toyota separated Hilux into two distinct lines - work and leisure. It would culminate in the 90's with versions that were closely related to the SUV universe, a process that still persists today.
Toyota Hilux has been a truly global model for many years now, sold in 170 countries and produced in 12 factories.
The eighth generation now on sale was launched in 2015, bringing with it a new 2.4 D-4D engine with 150 hp and 400 Nm, which proved to be always in demand.
commemorative editions
As might be expected, Toyota decided to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hilux with a series of commemorative editions — precisely those that we had the opportunity to conduct during the event — that stand out for being more endowed with equipment or coming with specific equipment.
THE Toyota Hilux Challenge 4×4 is available from €35,269 for the 3L version (VAT deducted at €29,235), and €41,804 for the Challenge. It comes equipped with a front and an interior protection for the cargo box; roll bar, reamers and side steps in black; fog lights and rear parking sensors. Finally, it is easily identified by the specific decoration visible on the cargo box.
THE Toyota Hilux Overland 4×4 is available from €43,315 and in addition to the equipment already seen at the Challenge, it comes with specific “Overland” vinyl decoration, and adds BF Goodrich AT tyres, a tow hook, a James Baroud tent, the hardtop, a freezer , and a toolbox (straps, flashlight and gloves).
THE Toyota Hilux Invincible 50 , as the name implies, is the commemorative edition of the 50 years of Hilux, it is available in 4×2 and 4×4 versions, from 34 129 euros and 44 179 euros, respectively. The equipment consists of a front and an interior protection for the cargo box; roll bar, reamers and side steps in black; and the Invincible emblem 50.
The new top of the range is, as we mentioned, the Toyota Hilux Premium Edition , is available with double cab, four-wheel drive and automatic transmission. It has an exclusive exterior, as can be seen from the new bumper and grille with a chrome surround, and features 18″ wheels.
The interior reveals its state-of-the-art status: heated leather seats, Smart Entry & Start system, automatic air conditioning, lane departure warning, pre-collision system and traffic sign recognition system — away from the pure work vehicle and much closer to what we can find in an equivalent SUV.
Also the interior decoration is unique, with several black piano upholstery and chrome accents. It can also come with accessories such as a chrome roll bar, the inside protection of the cargo box (without a rim) and the Multimedia and Navigation system for the Toyota Touch 2.
The price is also… top: 42 450 euros for the 3L version and 47 950 euros for the 5L.