It’s indeed big news from Toyota as their most capable off-road pickup truck, the Toyota Hilux, has been added to the Indian Army’s fleet. Toyota Kirloskar Motor has confirmed that the first batch of these pickup trucks has been delivered to the armed forces after undergoing numerous rigorous terrain and weather tests. The model was tested by the Northern Command of the Indian Army’s Technical Evaluation Committee for two months.
During these two months, the pickup truck underwent rigorous terrain and weather tests, including testing at altitudes of up to 13,000 ft and in extreme sub-zero temperatures. The addition of the Toyota Hilux is expected to further enhance the Army’s capabilities. It is worth noting that the Indian Army already has a fleet of several 4X4 capable vehicles, including the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, Tata Safari Storme, Tata Xenon pickup truck, and Mahindra Scorpio.
According to the Indian Army’s official statement, they are pleased to receive the first fleet of Toyota Hilux, which meets their requirements. They acknowledge Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s support in customizing the Hilux to pass through their stringent road tests and showcase its strong off-roading capabilities and extreme performance under challenging weather and difficult terrain conditions. The Army looks forward to utilizing this fleet of Hilux for their intended purposes.
What makes the Toyota Hilux so capable?
The power of the Toyota Hilux comes from a 2.8L, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, which is available with both manual and automatic gearbox options. The engine delivers a maximum power of 204bhp and a torque of 420Nm. The pickup truck features a 4WD drivetrain system as a standard fitment, along with an approach angle of 29 degrees, a departure angle of 26 degrees, and a water wading capacity of 700mm.
Additionally, it includes features like front and rear electronic differential locks and a low-range gearbox, all of which contribute to its outstanding off-road capabilities. The Toyota Hilux is built on the IMV ladder-frame chassis and offers a flatbed measuring 1,555X1,540mm with a load capacity of 470-litres.
