Toyota launches Hilux Rugged X, Rogue and Rugged variants in Australia – aimed at urban adventurers

Over in Australia, Toyota has introduced three new variants of the Hilux – aimed at serious off-road enthusiasts and urban adventurers, the Rugged X, Rugged and Rogue have been fully designed, developed and engineered in Australia with support from Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan and Toyota Thailand.

The three vehicles – all based on the double-cab 4×4 Hilux – are the culmination of a comprehensive three-year vehicle development programme, which began in early 2015, prior to the launch of the current generation pick-up.

The trio shares the same mechanical specifications as the Australian-market SR5 or SR models on which they are based – motive power is provided by a 1GD-FTV 2.8 litre turbodiesel offering 174 hp and 450 Nm with a six-speed automatic transmission (420 Nm with a six-speed manual gearbox).

The Rugged X offers advanced functionality and protection for serious off-roading, with standard kit including a winch-compatible heavy-duty steel front bar with integrated bash plate, LED lightbar and a new grille design.

Further protective and recovery features include a snorkel, purposeful side rock rails that are able to support a fully laden vehicle, front/rear recovery points and a new heavy-duty steel rear bar and integrated tow bar.

The Rugged X also gets a new floor-mounted four-piece steel sports bar that can support a vertical load of 75 kg and, with multiple tie down points, secure up to 200 kg on the floor of the vehicle’s tub.

Inside, the new Rugged X features leather-accented seats, metallic black ornamentation and black headlining. Also to be found is a newly-designed combi meter instrument cluster incorporating speedometer, tacho and 4.2-inch multi-information display on a dark dial plate with orange needles and white illumination.

The Rogue, meanwhile, is a stylish lifestyle model with a bold aesthetic appeal and premium comfort/convenience features, designed with a more urban adventurer customer in mind.

Developed in Australia in conjunction with the Toyota engineering team in Thailand, the company says that the Rogue was designed as a global product to be sold in various markets around the world – it forms the basis for the HiLux Revo Rocco that is sold in Thailand.

Features include a completely redesigned front end, which features a more upright profile, a large trapezoidal grille with a honeycomb insert and outboard LED fog lamps with newly-designed, high-gloss metallic bezels.

Other elements include gloss black exterior mirror caps and door handles and black 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 265/60 profile rubbers. There’s also a new rear bumper which features a larger step and grey-painted inserts to match the front end.

The variant also gets a bespoke hard tonneau cover for added protection and security, while the interior gains the same features and trim as found on the Rugged X.

The Rugged, meanwhile, is aimed at customers who want the extra functionality and features of the Rugged X but with the protection offered by a traditional steel bullbar, which has been black powder-coated for durability. The winch-compatible bullbar incorporates LED driving lights, centre and corner undershields, mounts for two antennas and additional driving lights.

Like the Rugged X, the Rugged – which sits on new design black 17-inch wheels and 265/65 tyres – also features a snorkel, redesigned grille, side rock rails, sports bar and heavy-duty steel rear bar together with recovery points.

GALLERY: Toyota Hilux Rugged X

GALLERY: Toyota Hilux Rogue

GALLERY: Toyota Hilux Rugged

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