Category Archives: Motoring

Motoring

Premium pick-up still setting the pace

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Toyota Hilux GR Sport

By Bill McCarthy

The pickup truck market is highly competitive, but one model, the Hilux, has continued to set the standard for over 50 years. The latest makeover introduced a new top-of-the-line model, the GR Sport, which adds premium touches to a vehicle known for its workhorse capabilities.

Toyota emphasizes that the GR Sport is designed for both work and leisure, offering high-quality cabin comfort, safety features, and connectivity options.

The range includes the single cab Active, starting at just over £27k plus VAT, and the more upscale Invincible. Both models are available with either a 201 bhp 2.8-litre engine or a 2.4-litre version, and feature new equipment, improved comfort, and enhanced on and off-road performance.

The latest model boasts a wider track, raised ride height, improved handling, reduced roll angle, and more precise steering response, providing the best driving experience on and off-road. It also features less noise and vibration, as well as revised suspension and brakes for better performance.

From the workmanlike single cab to the five-seater double cab, the range offers various combinations. The high ground clearance and step up to the cabin highlight the vehicle’s off-road capability. The most obvious clue to its off-road capability is the high ground clearance and clearance between wheel and wheel arch and it’s quite a step up to reach the cabin. No mean feat for my 5ft nothing wife.

The new GR Sport model features a sporty and dynamic design, with revised front ends, wheel arch mouldings, fog light surrounds, and specific 18-inch alloy wheel designs. The interior follows a sporty black monochrome theme with red accents, synthetic suede and leather seats, red seatbelts, paddle shifts, and aluminium pedals.

Equipped with the Toyota Smart Connect+ multimedia system, the GR Sport includes an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen display, cloud-based navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system. The interior also features a lockable, cooled glovebox, leather finished steering wheel, and powered windows.

The pickup’s flat bed can accommodate various shapes and sizes, with the ability to carry a full-sized pallet and optional hard top available. The 2,755cc turbodiesel unit provides 201bhp and 500Nm of torque, with the capability to tow loads of up to 3.5 tonnes and a one-tonne minimum payload capacity.

While the pickup’s economy is decent at over 30mpg, its turning circle and handling at speed may not be as impressive. However, it excels off-road with features like increased approach angle, higher ground clearance, and automatic electronic control for better traction and acceleration on low-grip surfaces.

On the road, performance is decent for such a heavy designed to go anywhere.

It can hit 60mph in just over 10 seconds, but economy is surprisingly decent given engine size and overall weight, with around 30mpg, according to WLTP figures. A figure I easily achieved and little more.

The driver can also select Eco and Power settings. Eco mode reduces power consumption for better fuel economy, while power mode initiates a sharper response to enhance the driving experience.

The almost exclusive use of eco mode proved really economical over a prolonged drive.

The turning circle is not fantastic, nor handling at speed, let’s not go there. It is hardly a silent runner with road and wind noise, particularly from the large door mirrors, intrusive at times. However once running, the engine is fairly quiet and refined. The ride, when unladen, is bouncy over rougher surfaces, but perfectly acceptable and smooth over decent surfaces. But it’s by no means uncomfortable thanks to the comfort of the high spec cabin.

The pickup also comes with safety features such as seven airbags, collision warning, traction and stability control, hill start assist, and downhill assist.

Factfile

  • Toyota Hilux GR SPORT DC 2.8D Auto
  • Price: £49,750 (inc VAT)
  • Mechanical: 201hp, 2,755cc four cylinder diesel engine driving all wheels via six-speed auto transmission
  • Max speed: 109mph
  • 0-60mph: 10.7 seconds
  • Combined mpg: 28.5-29.7
  • CO2 emissions: 242-259g/km
  • BiK rating: 37%
  • Insurance group: 45
  • Warranty: 5 years/unlimited miles
Motoring

Omoda joins Chinese invasion

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The Chinese invasion is continuing apace with a new kid on the block. Omoda, part of the billion-pound outfit Chery International, has launched the Omada 5 and E5 models in the UK.

A smart and stylish SUV/crossover it has plenty to offer with the choice of a 1.6 litre petrol engine and 150kW EV. Both at attractive prices, packed with high end hi-tech equipment and offering a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

The Omada 5 is priced from a competitive £25,235, while the all-electric E5 is on sale from £33,055.  Both are available in either Comfort or Noble trim, with the higher spec models priced from £27,035 for the 5, and £34,555 for the E5.

The  5, is powered by 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 183 bhp (186 PS) and 270 Nm of torque. It races to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 128 mph. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

Priced from £33,055, the all-electric E5 is powered by a 150 kW (204 bhp) electric motor and a 61 kWh ‘blade’ battery that comes with an eight-year warranty. 

The Omoda 5 above left with the more prominent grille and top, the Omoda E5

It offers a WLTP range of 257 miles and can charge up to 80 kW, with a 30-80% top-up possible in just 28 minutes.

 The E5 can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds while producing 340 Nm of torque.

Both cars are impressive on the road, with good handling, responsive steering,  a comfortable ride and in the case of the EV, the kind of acceleration you get with electric cars. 

The petrol model was even better, producing 185bhp, it is no slouch and despite a slight delay in the auto transmission, only slight, it proved an engaging drive.

Both handled sweeping bends and country lanes well while the suspension is geared for comfort, handling and ride proved more than acceptable and only unsettled by poorer road surfaces.

The 5 is a smart looking vehicle, both  feature 18” alloy wheels and LED front and rear lights with sequential indicators.

Noble variants add red brake calipers and a power sunroof for added style and ventilation.

 All models also feature a heated faux leather,  multi-function steering wheel, six-way power adjusted driver’s seat and integrated headrests as standard. Noble variants add synthetic leather sports seats with four-way adjustment for the front passenger.

In the E5, it is not unlike a Tesla with the screen layouts featuring  a 12.25-inch high-definition instrument cluster and a second 12.25-inch touchscreen for infotainment control.

 It supports 4G connectivity, Wi-Fi hotspot, and over-the-air software updates. All models have an eight-speaker Sony audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 50W wireless charger. 

Noble models also include multi-colored ambient lighting in the front.

PCP packages are available from just £299 per month. Both models boast a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating and a seven-year/100,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty as standard.