The tailgate of the new Toyota Hilux proved to be a camping necessity capable of multiple functions. It played a prominent role at the 2016 Oppikoppi music festival, here’s why.
Arriving at Oppikoppi on the Friday gave us the opportunity to position our 2.8 GD-6 Hilux in relative prime position; within comfortable walking distance of the stages and close enough to one of the dusty roads to be used as a vital marker when stumbling back to the campsite. One could surmise that our silver double cab Hilux served as a recognizable beacon of hope for other aimless festival goers as its sculpted silver paintwork stood proud above the thorn trees.
During the day our Toyota Hilux hero gained many friends. The tailgate became the place where eccentrically dressed people felt welcome to sit; far more casual than a formal camping chair and with the height advantage to see over the campsite which began to resemble a battle zone. Reinforced to hold a man dressed as the pope and a large cooler box, it was used to mix drinks, or in the morning, brew a cup of coffee of a skottel. It may sound trivial but another advantage was being able to have access to these items without having to unlock the cabin, meaning you could secure valuables without limiting access.
In fact the way people interacted with Hilux was a sight to behold; it became so natural and you simply knew that its increased toughness would handle anything Oppikoppi could throw at it. Some would come and chat about their own Hilux and take a keener interest in the uprated specifications – Hilux was visibly the bakkie of choice out in Limpopo – but for others it was simply the place to unwind.
Sure the new design probably looks better under the erratic flash from a headlamp and the choking dust but that slender nose certainly cuts through the air with greater efficiency and less intrusive wind noise while at the back the load box is wider than before.
Not overly concerned with the potholes leading out of Brits, our 2016 model 2.8 GD-6 (which replaces the 120kW/343Nm 3.0-litre) averaged an outstanding 7.1l/100km and with 130kW and 450Nm the 4-cylinder engine strengthened its case as the gem in the range. As a sidenote, the 2.4-litre has arrived and we’ve heard positive mutterings about that too.
New Toyota Hilux also rescued a number of stranded cars, not with a tow rope but with a pair of jumper cables. We ran our portable fridge off one of the two 12V power outlets for most of the time and when it came time to leave, our Hilux still fired up quickly and waded into the bush to help others.
Ours came with the six-speed manual which now boasts Intelligent Manual Transmission. This auto-blips the throttle for smooth downshifts but I would be lying if it turns a fairly average driver into a professional and frankly the flutter of rpm is quite annoying. Fortunately the default mode is off. An Eco mode and Power mode are also available with both having a pronounced effect on performance.
The ladder frame chassis has been optimized for comfort. The double-wishbone front suspension design and leaf-spring type suspension with twin (larger-diameter) shock-absorbers at the rear allows for increased wheel articulation. The short gravel section to Oppikoppi highlighted the Hilux’s increased stability and activating 4×4 modes is as easy as turning a dial – under speeds of 50km/h. Good to know that new Toyota Hilux comes equipped with features designed to simplify the off-roading experience; electronic assists for tackling inclines and declines as well as hill-start assist which prevents rolling back and mitigates much of that tricky clutch work.
Many of these things are natural evolutions, but the interior has made far bigger leaps over its predecessor with greater room and premium finishes. Seat material takes on a higher quality and the steering wheel adjusts for both reach and height. On it are controls for the 17.8cm touch screen system which is nestled neatly into the dashboard and responds accurately to inputs. Heading to Oppikoppi, we got in the mood by pairing our cellphones for Bluetooth audio streaming while the USB port allowed for easy charging.
As the country’s top-selling bakkie for an almost unbroken period, Hilux is a car that has evolved in all the right ways without compromising its core values. Why would you buy Toyota Hilux over its competitors? Aggressive pricing, wide dealer network, strong resale and because it survived what has to be the harshest festival in the world, Oppikoppi.
| Base Price | R551 800 |
| Engine Capacity | 2 755 cm³ |
| No. Of Cylinders | 4-cylinders |
| Aspiration | Turbo |
| Power | 130kW at 3 400 r/min |
| Torque | 420Nm at 1 400 r/min |
| Transmission | Six-speed Manual |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Acceleration | 0-100 km/h in 11.2. seconds (claimed) |
| Top Speed | 180km/h |
| Fuel Consumption | 7.6l/100km (claimed combined) |
