2011 Toyota Hilux Facelift Launched In Malaysia

The 2011 Toyota Hilux facelift version has been launched in Malaysia in five variants made up of two body styles, two engines and two transmissions: the Hilux Single Cab 2.5 manual sells for RM 73,256, the Hilux 2.5 STD manual for RM 83,700, the Hilux 2.5 G manual for RM 91,900, the Hilux 2.5 G automatic for RM 96,970, and the Hilux 3.0 G automatic for RM 107,250.

The facelift exercise starts with an all-new, more imposing front end, which features a new grille with a slight centre bulge, new headlamps and a revised bumper. The wheel design is new though the size remains 15", the side mirrors are equipped with a turn indicator, and the overfenders are larger than before. The rear only gets new combination lamps. The Hilux 3.0 G's bonnet air scoop has been widened to increase the air intake.

The cabin receives a darker colour, a new dash layout, a four-spoke steering wheel, a seatbelt reminder and an overhead sunglasses holder, while the 2-DIN audio head unit with USB and AUX connectivity, previously only available on the Hilux 3.0 G, is now standard across the range. The Hilux 2.5 G automatic gets a shift position indicator, though steering wheel controls and Optitron instrument display are reserved for the Hilux 3.0 G. Toyota's DVD-Audio Video Navigation (AVN) system, complete with a 6.1" colour screen and a reverse camera, is optional, as are a sports bar and solar film.

The 102 hp, 260 Nm 2.5-litre and the 163 hp, 343 Nm 3.0-litre commonrail turbodiesel D-4D engines are carried forward with no changes. A five-speed manual gearbox and a four-speed automatic gearbox remain as options. The 2011 Toyota Hilux's shift-on-the-fly function allows the 4WD High Range mode to be engaged from 2WD mode at speeds up to 80 km/h; the 4WD Low Range mode can only be selected below 8 km/h, however.

Malaysia's best-selling truck, of which more than 90,000 units have been sold since launch in 2005, the Toyota Hilux is expected to achieve sales of 14,000 units in 2011—some way short of the 18,500-units record sales last year. With about 3000 orders in the bag for the 2011 Toyota Hilux facelift, UMW Toyota Motor should have little problems hitting its sales target for this year.