In the past few days, the Indian Army has seen a car buying frenzy. 1,850 models of Mahindra Scorpio Classic have been purchased recently. This time, Toyota Hilux pick-up truck was added to the army. Japanese auto maker Toyota Kirloskar Motor has announced that it has completed the delivery of the first batch of one of its most powerful pick-up trucks. But before delivery, the cars have been extensively tested in extreme temperatures and off-road. The Northern Command of the Technical Evaluation Committee of the Indian Army has done this work for two months.
During these two months, the cars were tested on uphill roads at altitudes of 13,000 feet and in sub-freezing temperatures. So it goes without saying that the Toyota Hilux will contribute quite a bit in increasing the capabilities of the Indian Army. It should be noted that the Army currently has several 4×4 based vehicles in its collection. For example – Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, Tata Safari Storme, Tata Xenon pick-up truck and Mahindra Scorpio.
In an official statement, the Army expressed its satisfaction on receiving the keys to the first batch of Toyota Hilux. The car has been admitted to perform well on bumpy roads, extreme heat. In short, the car is a match for off-roading. As a result, it will be able to meet the requirements of the Indian Army properly.
What’s in Toyota Hilux
Powering it forward is a powerful 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo-charged diesel engine. It is available with both automatic and manual gearboxes. The engine will produce a maximum power of 204 bhp and 420 Nm of torque.
The pick-up truck features a four-wheel drive drivetrain system. It also has a 29 degree approach angle, a 26 degree departure angle and a 700mm water wading capacity. There are also front and rear electronic differential locks and low-range gearbox. All this adds a new level of off-roading capability. The Toyota Hilux is offered with an IMB ladder frame chassis. Its load capacity is 470 liters.
