Prangnell got his start at Toyota in the Christchurch Hilux assembly factory in the early 1980s and he's particularly fond of the vehicle that's imprinted on the New Zealand psyche with such clever marketing campaigns as the "Crumpy and Scotty" television commercials and the more recent "Bugger" ad.
Today's Hilux sells into a significantly different market than when Prangnell helped build them. Once based firmly in the rural sector, today's major market is in the suburbs. Chief executive Alistair Davis says Kiwi families have found that double-cab light trucks, as well as SUVs, offer a work vehicle and a family vehicle in one package.
The changed demographics largely dictated this facelift, in which the range has become more suburban-friendly and even closer in its styling to cars and wagons.
A new dash and instrument panel layout is more car-like. Upgraded audio units appear on all models, with Bluetooth connectivity and MP3 input. Top-line SR5 models add a 15.4cm touch-screen unit with album cover art display, an SD card slot, Bluetooth readout of SMS messages, reversing camera compatibility and two extra speakers.
The SR5 also upgrades to climate-controlled air conditioning. Side and curtain airbags are on all 4WDs and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) becomes standard on all 4WD Double Cabs. VSC will be gradually extended to the rest of the range.
Outside, the front receives a different bumper, grille, headlights, bonnet and fenders. The profile of some 4WDs has been altered, with new over-fenders, redesigned wheels and, for SR5s, turn signals integrated into redesigned door mirrors.
The back gets a different lights cluster and a clear, high stoplight on wellside models.
And the range has been extended to 13, with a standard-grade 4WD Extra Cab diesel manual at $53,990. There are five 2WDs and eight 4WDs.
Same, only different
Although the Hilux's engines and drivetrain are carried over, there have been subtle changes. For example, "many small improvements" to the 1KD diesel have allowed Toyota to extend service intervals to 15,000km, dropping an intermediate oil and filter change at 7500km.
Despite its new city clothes, Hilux still has what it takes down on the farm. Toyota put the truck through its off-road paces on the historic Queenstown Hill Station, a 1400ha farm running 1500 merino and catering to adventure tourism activities. Owned for decades by the Middleton family, it's now managed by Kelvin Middleton of Otago rugby fame.
Prices hacked
Toyota has dropped Hilux 4WD prices to "add sales momentum". The cab-chassis falls by $2600 to $47,490 and Double Cabs are down by between $1000 for the top SR5 and $2500 for the volume-selling diesel manual. The standard Double Cab auto drops by $700. Extra Cab pricing is unchanged.
Two-wheel-drive versions don't fare as well. The petrol model, which gets power mirrors and a tachometer, is up by $200 to $42,090; the diesel Double Cab is up by $300 but gains cruise control, and both cab-chassis models get air conditioning, power mirrors and a tachometer for a $1000 increase.
The most expensive Hilux is the 3.9 turbo-diesel SR5 Double Cab automatic. At $61,890, it's $1000 less than the outgoing model.
