Tag Archives: Toyota

AWD, Pick-up/4x4, Toyota

Toyota tames the rough stuff

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Toyota Hilux Invincible X

By Bill McCarthy

IT says something about a vehicle when it has been around for more than 50 years. In fact you could write reams about the Hilux, which has featured in TV series taking on the frozen wastes of the Arctic and the searing heat on an active volcano.

Revised again it now features a more powerful 201 bhp 2.8-litre engine option (although the existing 2.4 is still available), new equipment features, added comfort and improvements in performance both on and off-road. It also comes with a choice of auto, on the model driven here, or manual gear change and larger stowage area.

The new model retains the established grade line-up of Active, Icon, Invincible and Invincible X.

There are various combinations including single cab workhorse up to the five-seater double cab Invincible X range topper driven here. All offer generous deck space world renowned off road performance and a cabin packed with creature comforts as many choose to double up as a lifestyle vehicle.

It’s easy to see why. The most glaring clue to its off road capability is the high ground clearance and clearance between wheel and wheel arch and its quite a step up to reach the cabin.

The range topper looks sporty and dynamic, redesigned with trapezoidal grille and front bumper treatment, additional wheel arch mouldings and fog light surrounds. It now features LED head lights and tail lights and their own, specific new 18-inch alloy wheel designs. 

In additions there are front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats and windscreen wiper de-icer. Other key items include LED headlights, smart entry and push-button start and automatic air conditioning.

In the cabin there is new ambient door panel lighting and a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system, plus dual-tone leather upholstery, heated and powered front seats.

All versions apart from the entry level Active grade come with the latest Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system, with faster software and faster response to touchscreen commands including satellite navigation. Smartphone integration is another new feature, via either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, provided as standard from Icon grade upwards.

The interior standard equipment also includes lockable, cooled glovebox, leather finished steering wheel and powered windows.

The flat bed to the rear can accommodate all sorts of shapes including a full-sized pallet, accessed by the rear drop tailgate. Various lashing points mean cargo can be strapped in securely, while the hard top, fitted on this model, can be detached for taller objects.

On and offroad it has impressive characteristics. The 2,755cc turbodiesel unit generates 201bhp and a huge 500Nm of torque with a six-speed automatic transmission, for huge pulling power.

It maintains its one-tonne minimum payload capacity and the ability to tow (braked) loads of up to 3.5 tonnes.

It is also quicker off the mark, but only marginally more expensive to run with around 30mpg, according to WLTP figures.

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.

It is capable reaching 60mph in 10.7 seconds, pretty lively for such a heavy beast and feels comfortable and stable except on tight corners where there is some wallow as you would expect.

The turning circle is not fantastic and its 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.

A new suspension set up means that on road it is a pleasant driving experience and features a new, automatic limited-slip differential that improve its on-road ride and handling and its off-road controllability.

Going off road, the driver can activate the system with a brief press of the VSC-off switch when the vehicle is being driven in H2 two/rear-wheel drive mode.

When a loss of grip is detected, it will brake the slipping wheel and direct drive torque to the opposite wheel that has traction. This new feature is in addition to the Active Traction Control, which operates when the vehicle is in L4

Safety features are also impressive with seven airbags, collision warning, traction and stability control and hill assist  and downhill assist on this model, plus much more.

Although not the cheapest the Hi Lux is still the one to beat off-road and is now an even more refined vehicle

Factfile

Toyota Hilux Invincible X

Price: £44,835

Mechanical: 2041hp, 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: 248-259g/km

BiK rating: 37%

Insurance group: 45

Warranty: 5 years/unlimited miles

Electric/hybrid, Estate/Sport Tourer, Suzuki

Suzuki makes space with the Swace

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Stunning addition to line-up

By Bill McCarthy

MANY people may be wondering about two new Suzukis appearing on the scene, the size of both bucking the trend of the firm’s small car/offroad reputation.

Both the new Swace and SUV Across are models launched from the Suzuki /Toyota collaborative Business agreement which saw both firms take a stake in each other.

The oddly-named Swace is based on the Toyota Corolla Hybrid Estate with Suzuki signature front design changes, re-badged essentially, but manufactured in the UK with exports to Europe.

It features two models, SZ-T and SZ5 models, both lavishly equipped, and featuring a 1.8 litre petrol engine with 53kW electric motor to deliver excellent economy and low CO2 emissions.

It is a large car which has room for five adults with a spacious interior and loads of stowage space. It also features a comprehensive array of safety kit.

It is striking looking, sleek and muscular with a large honeycomb pattern deep grille, slim headlights, integrated roof rails and eye-catching 19-inch alloy wheels.

The interior too, feels high end and features  quality upholstery with soft touch finish throughout, powered leather seats, multi-function steering wheel and the centrepiece tablet-style touchscreen which controls sound system and connectivity through Apple CarPlay Android Auto and MirrorLink for smartphones, which is vital as it does not feature its own sat nav.

Standard specification is good with the ‘entry’  SZ-T model featuring dural zone automatic air conditioning, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, rear parking camera and radar cruise control.

‘It has a roomy, executive feel with ambient lighting, soft touch finish offset with chrome and silver accents’

This tested SZ5 model further adds auto door locking, park assist with parking sensors and wireless phone charging tray.

It has a roomy, executive feel with ambient lighting, soft touch finish offset with chrome and silver accents, with sturdy fixtures and fittings throughout. Another neat touch is the S-Flow air conditioning.

This uses a detection control function to ensure that air conditioning is only provided to occupied seats. It also takes the set temperature, ambient temperature, interior temperature and sunlight into account to maintain optimum cabin comfort. Head and legroom are among the best in class with 

On the road, the petrol/electric combo mated with CVT transmission, works well to deliver excellent economy and low emissions. Performance from the petrol engine and electric motor produces 122PS with economy of around 64mpg. And as this is the kind of vehicle that could appeal to business users, emissions of 99g/km puts it in the 24 per cent bracket for Benefit in Kind taxation purposes.

Acceleration, if you will pardon the pun, is not exactly electric, hitting 60mph in around 11 seconds. The hybrid system selects an electric motor, engine or both depending on driving conditions.

It is also equipped with an EV drive mode function where the vehicle is driven solely by its electric motor with power supplied from the battery. This mode can be used for driving short distances in low emissions zones.

The driver also has two other drive modes: 

NORMAL, as the name suggests, ECO, which helps the driver deliver better fuel economy through more gradual throttle response and minimal air-conditioning use. This mode is useful during stop-and-go city driving.   

SPORT boosts acceleration, and sharpens acceleration and handling.

The car does sit low to the road with consequently benefits handling characteristics, and is designed to reduce body roll around corners, improving stability and contributing to a smoother ride.

Stowage space is excellent with 596-litres available, while the rear carpeted floorboard can be placed in a lower position to store taller objects and is also reversible with a resin backside that can be used for stowing wet or dirty items.

Space is further increased using the remote lever to fold down the second row of seats for a flat floor and maximum stowage capacity of 1,606 litres.

There are other convenient oddment spaces and cup holders throughout the cabin.

It is packed with hi-tech stuff including intelligent parking on this test model. Fitted as standard on the SZ5 model, S-IPA assists the driver when reversing into a parking space, parallel parking, or departing from a parallel parking space, by providing audio and visual guidance while automatically operating the steering wheel. The system uses ultrasonic wave sensors for sensing and allows accurate parking even in narrow spaces.

Other safety measures include Pre-Collision System which detects  other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists; Lane Tracing Assist which adjusts the steering if it veers off on a marked road; traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitor and rear crossing traffic alert.

Factfile 

Suzuki Swace 1.8 Hybrid SZ5

Price: £29,299

Mechanical: Combined 122PS, 1798cc, four cylinder petrol engine and 53 kW electric motor driving front wheels via CVT gearbox

Max speed: 112 mph 

0-62mph: 11.1 secs 

Combined mpg: 64.2 (WlTP)

Insurance group: 17E  

CO2 emissions: 99 g/km 

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles