Thursday 26th May 2016

Toyota Hilux across Namibia

How to test what's claimed to be the toughest Hilux ever? To the desert!

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A car launch itinerary often reads much like any other: get to airport for some ungodly hour of the morning, fly to European city of choosing, absorb press bumf and then drive new car on road (plus track if you're lucky) until it's time to fly home. Take as much free coffee and Wi-Fi on the way, write what's possible before falling asleep on the plane.

Definitely as much fun as it looks

Not this time. Toyota decided that Namibia was the place for its international launch of the new Hilux. Yes, really. An appropriately gruelling test for a car that's famously durable? Or a nice little break for those freeloading journalists, conveniently helping them forget the car isn't what it should be?

See it's hard not to be cynical about intentions with a place like Namibia. To test a vehicle - sorry Toyota - as ordinary as a Hilux in a country of such natural beauty seems to be doing Namibia a disservice. Yes, there are hundred of them out here, but for UK journalists it seems a bit much. Still, if it works here, then it's sorted for the worst construction sites Britain can deal it out.

The Hilux is Toyota's second biggest selling model behind the Corolla, with 18 million sold since 1968 and 815,000 in Europe. Moreover, this is only the eight-generation Hilux in nearly 50 years, making it a very big deal for Toyota. As well as maintaining its reputation for toughness, the Hilux enters a more competitive sector than ever - sales are climbing rapidly in the UK and more manufacturers are offering pick-ups than at any point previously. When even Mercedes is getting in on the act you know they're a big deal!

Stuck? Floor it!

For this latest generation, Toyota wants to enhance that reputation for mechanical strength while also appealing to those buying pick-ups as SUV alternatives. Predictably there's more technology inside and a fresher look to begin covering off those bases, but there are interesting tweaks underneath too: the ladder frame chassis is now 20 per cent more rigid, wheel travel has been increased, plus there's an all-new diesel engine with updated gearboxes. It's a comprehensive Hilux overhaul, put simply, one that Toyota will hope continue its European dominance of the sector (the outgoing Hilux, even in its last year on sale in 2015, had a 23.1 per cent segment share).

There is now just one engine option, a 2.4-litre diesel replacing both the 2.5 and 3.0-litre engines offered previously. It makes 150hp and 295lb ft, with either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto offered. On the launch event there's both gearboxes to try, all in Double Cab format. More space for the stash of biltong and other meat-based snacks we're provided with.

The first day of the African adventure doesn't start well. It's foggy, not all that warm, and the plan to keep 25 cars on one radio channel lasts for about two minutes. One car doesn't have enough fuel in. Having stopped to resolve that we come to a halt again very soon after for pictures. Moving a car for a photo, another journalist reverses their Hilux into me. That's pretty painful. It's still foggy.

This is what we mean about barren

However, we see the light (quite literally, in fact) at Dune 7, just a few kilometres down the road. Fortunately for the aspiring Dakarists on the launch, there's more than one dune at Dune 7; there are plenty, ranging from molehills to mountains, to test both car and driver. Well, one more than the other...

The Hilux is staggeringly (and surprisingly) capable in the sand. With most of the air taken out of its Bridgestone Dueler tyres, there's not a dune it can't conquer. Given a couple of attempts and familiarity with a low-range manual, that is. To keep your foot in when all you can see is blue sky is quite unnerving, but tremendous fun when you learn the habit and the Hilux ascends another sandy slope. Stuck? Reverse down, try again with more commitment. And repeat.

After the hi-octane but slow speed thrills of the morning, Tuesday afternoon is far less invigorating. There's 300km to do between Dune 7 and the Namibgrens Lodge campsite, all on gravel roads. Very straight, very barren gravel roads. Neither the journo I'm sharing with nor I are brave enough to risk our music collections on the (also updated) infotainment system. Best get chatting...

The Namib Naukluft National Park is apparently the size of Belgium, but scarily deserted, no pun intended. Namibia is second only to Mongolia for lowest number of people per square kilometre, meaning huge amounts of distance and time pass without seeing anything. No people, no animals, no settlements. Weird. Still, at least there's plenty of time to focus on the car.

Dunes done; time for full off-roading

In an odd situation and with no direct comparison possible, the Hilux is impressive. It still isn't an SUV - the diesel clatter and the limitations of the chassis are still evident - but it does a really good job of making the distance tolerable. The seats are comfortable, it absorbs ruts and craters in the gravel well and it's certainly quiet enough at the UK limit on a dirt road. Even slightly beyond that, if you're feeling brave; you'll need a lot of space to hit that claimed 106mph top speed, put it that way.

The time doesn't exactly fly by though, so we arrive at Namibgrens in need of a rest and a refuel. Crucially, however, we aren't exhausted by the car or the driving. Or each other's company, I'd like to think. Given what we've endured with the car during the first day, that's a fair achievement.

Day two dawns beautifully bright. But again there's a right palaver as we head to the off-road course - the camp is so vast that it houses the 40km off-road course, but many head to the exit thinking that's the way to go.

Convoy collected the off-road course provides a real challenge, with the punctures to prove it. It's rocky, dusty and demanding, certain section requiring a spotter to see you through and even the recommendation to lock the rear diff in parts. Swapping to the (very good) automatic does at least give one less thing to concentrate on. Again though the Hilux exceeds expectations, if not shrugging off the challenge then certainly completing it with less fuss than expected. It's not off-roading if you don't hear metal scrape on rock, is it?

"Er, which way to the Wi-Fi?"

The 'road' route then continues from Namibgrens to Windhoek, the capital city. By this time most are getting tired of the inescapable dust from the gravel roads, exacerbated on the second day by not a drop of wind. Great for creating a Rally Safari sandstorm in your wake, not ideal for a convoy of pick-ups with 200km to cover. Ask me about overtaking the cattle truck in a couple of weeks; the memory is still a little too fresh right now...

As the capital city and its smooth, glorious tarmac beckons, it's time to reflect on what the Hilux has achieved. Well it seemed to be, until we're reminded there's another 40km on the other side of Windhoek before we reach the camp.

Now while they were new cars and designed for this sort of terrain, the way the Hiluxes dealt with their African adventure without a squeak or rattle seems pretty remarkable. They were floored up dunes, bashed around off-road routes and driven a little too quickly on unsurfaced roads. All the time, even when they were stuck, it felt like the driver was most certainly the weak link and not the Hilux. It's that sort of dependable reputation the Hilux's success is built on, and most definitely appears present here.

However, the Hilux isn't flawless. Once we reach the tarmac and Windhoek at rush hour, some weaknesses surface. While never out of its depth, the powertrain could occasionally feel a little sluggish in the cut and thrust (all things being relative) of Namibia's capital city. It's interesting to note that many of the Toyota's rivals offer more powerful diesels - there's a 190hp Navara and a 200hp Ranger, for example - so it let's see if other engines join the line up in time.

New Hilux, same as the old Hilux. But better

Moreover, despite the claims of a more SUV-like interior, you would want to spend time in an Amarok instead if really long distances wanted to be covered. It's good, but you're never in any doubt of the car's origins.

So where does that leave the Hilux? Broadly speaking, in its own little established niche that is has always occupied. It's not as agricultural as a D-Max but neither is it as plush as some others; it's dependable, unpretentious and -Toyota will be pleased to hear this - seemingly tough too. The actual commercial vehicle journalists on the launch suggest this Hilux is a vast improvement over the old one, putting it in a more competitive position than ever. So if you want to drive up a volcano, down a sand dune or across a desert, the Hilux still comes very highly recommended. It'll probably suit the UK just fine too.

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TOYOTA HILUX DOUBLE CAB
Engine: 2,393cc, in-line four diesel
Transmission: 6-speed manual (6-speed automatic), four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 150@3,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 295@1,600-2,000rpm
0-62mph: 13.2sec (12.8sec)
Top speed: 106mph
Weight: 2,100-2,160kg (2,095-2,155kg)
MPG: 40.4 (36.2)
CO2: 185g/km (204g/km)
Price: from £19,177 (CV on the road price)

[EnglishTony]

Great vehicle but is it PH?

[EnglishTony]

ambuletz said:

EnglishTony said:

Great vehicle but is it PH?

PH is a frame of mind not a list of cars.

That might make a good thread at some point. In the meantime I was trying, unsuccessfully it would appear, to determine whether this brought out that PH state of mind in the driver and to what extent?

[EnglishTony]

300bhp/ton said:

gizlaroc said:

The point being you prefer cars from 20 years ago?

Maybe. But that isn't the point here. You questioned another poster. I agree with them and gave a reason. You don't have to agree with or even like it. But that is the reason. Which should enable you to understand the rational, which was you initial comment, that you didn't get it.

Have got your head stuck in your bottom again?

[EnglishTony]

Matt Bird said:

fivetenben said:

EnglishTony said:

Great vehicle but is it PH?

Na, a true PHer chooses a nackered old Porsche as their steed in which to cross the Namib Desert...





Namibia is such a stunning country, and the article is really making me crave a return visit... I'd recommend it to anyone who likes getting off the beaten track.

Bravo sir, you win.

If I was the editor of this site I'd be sending a fresh-faced eager young motoring journalist to interview this man with a view to running an article about knackered Porsches in Namibia.