Toyota have confirmed that the current HiLux’s V6 petrol will be offered in an unchanged format when the new model arrives this October. With the news that the 175kW four-litre unit is returning, we now have a complete rundown on the four motors that will be available in the eighth-generation of the archetypal ute.
It’s something of a surprise that the thirstiest HiLux engine doesn’t score the same improvements seen in the LandCruiser Prado range. In the Prado lineup, the four-litre six was recently boosted in output up to 207kW, making it more of a grunty thing.
In total, four engines will sit under HiLux bonnets: two diesel fours, one petrol four, and one petrol six.
Toyota HiLux diesel engines
The majority of HiLux buyers will opt for one of the two diesels. The current, ten-year-old model saw just one diesel offered—a three-litre D4D unit producing 126kW. This time around, both a higher-output 2.8-litre and a smaller 2.4-litre will be available.
Both diesels share a transmission quirk. In both, the automatic has far more torque, with the standard manual gearboxes seeing torque fall between 10% and 15% on the self-shifter.
The flagship diesel is now a 2.8-litre, a direct replacement for the old three-litre. This unit is a four-cylinder intercooled turbo diesel, producing 130kW of power (up 4kW), and in the six-speed auto, 450Nm of torque (up a huge 90kW, or 25%), between 1600 and 2400rpm. Go with the standard six-cog manual, and the torque drops to 420kW (still up 60kW on the old car). With the manual, peak torque is on tap in a slightly wider band of 1600 to 2600rpm.
The less expensive diesel is a 2.4-litre four-cylinder pushing out 110kW of power. Paired to the optional six-speed automatic, it produces a healthy 400Nm of torque between 1600 and 2400rpm. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual that sees torque about 10% lower at 343Nm, available at peak in a really wide range of 1400 to 3400rpm.
Toyota HiLux petrol engines
Well, this is the big news of the week: the old four-litre V6 will return for the brand-new HiLux. It’s coming back without any bump in power or torque. This 1GR-FE engine sees outputs remain at 175kW and 376Nm. In the current shape, the V6 is a thirsty thing, with combined fuel economy scores of 11.8L/100km in 2WD, or 13L/100km in 4WD. Toyota tell us that a new six-speed auto will see economy improvements.
The towing capacity of the V6 falls short of the 2.8-litre diesel. In 2WD form, braked towing capacity is likely to sit at 2500kg, or 3200kg in four-wheel-drive form. Compare that to the larger diesel’s 3500kg capacity in four-wheel-drive.
The basic WorkMate engine, a 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol, is also coming back with only minor changes. It will still make 122kW of power, but torque is set to climb in a small amount from the current figure of 240Nm. We’re predicting something like 245Nm.
The launch of the eighth-generation 2016 Toyota HiLux remains the most hotly anticipated development among utes this year, with the new models hitting Australian roads in just a few months’ time.
