Toyota's popular Hilux utes will be upgraded to provide more automatic variants and improved quality of ride, the company says.
The five new automatic transmission variants added to the range include a 2WD PreRunner SR Extra Cab and four SR 4WD variants across different body configurations; Single Cab Chassis, Extra Cab Chassis, Extra Cab Ute and Double Cab Chassis.
Toyota has removed all its V6 petrol engine variants from the range and the 4WD Extra Cab Ute with manual transmission due to falling customer demand.
Steve Prangnell, Toyota New Zealand’s General Manager of Sales said: "Light truck customers are looking for more automatic transmission options while the demand for the petrol utes has fallen away.
“We are selling more Hilux than ever before in Toyota New Zealand’s history. Hilux is Toyota’s top selling model, a situation we could not have imagined five years ago when the Corolla led sales. The market swing to utes is unrelenting,” said Mr Prangnell.
Other changes include the introduction of a common 3.5 tonne tow rating across all PreRunner and 4WD powertrains, and a differential locak added to the PreRunner range.
Toyota New Zealand's general manager of product, Spencer Morris, said the changes were in response to market feedback.
“Customers will tell you everything you need to know about satisfying their needs and we are delighted to be able to respond with these enhancements,” said Spencer Morris, Toyota New Zealand’s General Manager of Product.
“We’ve also spent considerable time working with the factory to ensure the ride quality delivers greater levels of comfort.”
Toyota has removed all its V6 petrol engine variants from the range and the 4WD Extra Cab Ute with manual transmission due to falling customer demand.
“Light truck customers are looking for more automatic transmission options while the demand for the petrol utes has fallen away,” said Steve Prangnell, Toyota New Zealand’s General Manager of Sales.
“We are selling more Hilux than ever before in Toyota New Zealand’s history. Hilux is Toyota’s top selling model, a situation we could not have imagined five years ago when the Corolla led sales. The market swing to utes is unrelenting,” said Mr Prangnell.
In other changes, the S and SR models will have black, rather than chrome exterior door handles. They also gain variable intermittent wipers.
In response to their tough truck working credentials, all the S and SR variants now come with easily cleanable PVC floor covering instead of carpet.
A reversing camera has been added to all Cab Chassis Hilux models.