Toyota reveals genuine accessories for new Hilux

Toyota has revealed the range of accessories that will be available for the new Hilux when the workhorse hits showroom floors in October.

Hitting back at Ford Ranger’s challenge to the Hilux reign, Toyota has released the most extensive range of accessories in the company’s history, with some closely resembling the mining-spec-style gear that’s distinctive of the Ranger XL-Plus model.

Included in the new Hilux’s range, about five years in the making, are more than 60 accessories purpose-built for the new vehicle, including an industry pack for mining, construction and other industrial users.

The pack includes LED work lamps, light bar, mining flag, wheel chocks, reflective stripes, wheel nut indicators, handbrake alert, tray accessories and prewiring for an in-vehicle monitoring system.

These are all new to the Toyota catalogue, as are a new snorkel that ensures good air flow, two types of tool boxes and a bed slide on rollers for easy access to items in the ute body.

Meanwhile, airbag-compatible bull bars, which are manufactured at a new, recently opened facility in Melbourne, are expected to retain the five-star safety rating that Toyota is expecting for the new Hilux (most aftermarket accessories and bull bars are not tested for ANCAP safety).

The Hilux bull bars will be available in high-tensile steel or aluminium alloy, with Toyota's crash tests confirming the right deployment of airbags and operation of safety systems.
The bull bar has been designed to ensure airflow through the radiator while providing for mounting points for driving lights, antennas and the genuine accessory winch.

The Hilux’s canopies have also been redesigned to allow one-handed opening and can be specified with central locking, automotive-grade curved glass and integrated lighting. Large "gull-wing" style windows are available for easy access to the load area.

Hilux’s pre-existing accessories have also been redesigned for leisure and work. These include a towbar and load-distribution hitch that support the uprated 3.5-tonne maximum towing capacity of the new Hilux.

According to Toyota, engineers collaborated with designers in Australia to produce the range, which is being marketed as strong and durable.

Additional items in the industry pack include:

• Steel tray – this is new with standard storage/tool box, window protector and mounts for a light bar, flag, and optional slide-out step, grab rail, quick-release ladder rack, tie-down rings and mounts for a fire extinguisher and spare tyre.

• Commercial steel bull bar – this is said to be more affordable while maintaining functionality.

• Battery terminal and accessory fuse box – Toyota says this will reduce clutter with a single point of access for any accessory requiring power from the vehicle's battery; will have 10 separate fuses and a combined output of up to 50 Amps; added fire protection; and is tested for electrical safety as well as resistance to water, heat and harsh chemicals (standard on 4x4 and Hi-Rider).

• Auxiliary battery kit – this should allow up to 50 Amps of current to be drawn safely without draining the main battery; vibration, shock and temperature tested; on-board intelligent charger provides safe three-stage charging.

• Battery Isolator Switch to allow easy disconnection of the battery. The integrated design has been tested to meet Toyota's stringent safety standards.

Toyota officially unveiled its eight-generation Hilux, the first new Hilux in ten years in May this year. The Hilux will have a bigger body, new 130kW-450Nm 2.8L diesel engine, and a 3500kg towing capacity. It will go on sale in October with 31 variants in both 4x4 and 4x2. This is nine more variants than currently offered. Most of the model-range expansion will come through extra 4x4 and dual-cab models.

Ford Ranger topped Hilux in sales for the first time ever in August but we expect Toyota will hit back with a vengeance when the new Hilux lands in showrooms.

See Fraser Stronach’s take on the new Hilux.