TOYOTA HILUX

We finally get behind the wheel of the mighty pick-up truck, and a special one at that!

- HALLEY PRABHAKAR

The Toyota Hilux is like a blockbuster flick that never ceases to amaze, no matter how many times you watch it. From being the 'Dream Truck' in Back to the Future or becoming the first car to reach the Magnetic North Pole and even tame and win the toughest rally-raid in the world, the Dakar, Toyota's Hiluxes have been there, done that. The Hilux is one of the best-selling pick-up trucks ever and over the past five decades, Toyota has sold over 20 million units in more than 180 countries! India for some reason was never on the list, despite the Fortuner and Innova sharing the same IMV platform. But good things come to those who wait as they say and the pick-up finally made its India debut this year. All units brought in via the CKD route got sold out and every Hilux went to customers, so none made it to the media fleet! That means we're driving the India-spec Hilux only now, thanks to Thomas Maratt of 6th Mile Customs in Bangalore, a good friend, who picked up one of the first Hiluxes that came in. We just had to snatch the keys from him and head out to get a little taste even as we wait for Toyota India to provide us with a test vehicle.

The Hilux you see here looks different, because it isn't stock. I've driven a factory-spec Hilux too belonging to another friend, but at TURBOCHARGED we love our mods and just had to feature this special Hilux. Toyota's trademark trapezoidal grille has been blacked out and looks the part as it contrasts well with this shade of silver.

TOYOTA HILUX HIGH AT

▸ Engine: 2.8-litre, inline four-cylinder diesel ▸Power: 204PS @ 3,000-3,400rpm ▸Torque: 500Nm @ 1,600rpm-2,800rpm ▸Gearbox: Six-speed automatic ▸Weight: 2,085kg ▸Price: ₹36.80 lakh onwards ex-showroom