Toyota HiLux Mako update…

By Dean Mellor 3 Min Read

The new Toyota HiLux Mako has been designed specifically to tackle the Ford Ranger Raptor head-on.

A new vehicle was lowered from a Blackhawk helicopter in New Zealand yesterday called the Toyota HiLux Mako, and it’s been designed to tackle the Ford Ranger Raptor head-on.

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As we revealed in a scoop story last night, the HiLux Mako is a new halo model for Toyota in NZ, running ARB OME raised suspension including new springs front and rear and matched internal bypass BP-51 dampers. This set-up gives it a 40mm lift up front and a 50mm lift at the rear.

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Based on HiLux SR5, the Mako is powered by Toyota’s revised 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that now makes a claimed 150kW and 500Nm. The vehicle is built at TNZ’s facility in Thames, NZ, and is based on a concept vehicle called the Toyota HiLux Gladiator. In addition to the OME suspension, the Mako runs 265/60R18 Maxxis Razr A/T rubber on 18-inch black Rhino alloy rims. It also scores upgraded braking with larger discs from the Fortuner and braided brake lines.

On the styling front, the Mako wears the same steel bull bar, under-body protection plate and recovery points as fitted to the Aussie-spec HiLux Rugged X, and features a built-in LED light bar. It also has unique fender flares, side steps and assisted tailgate.

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On the inside, the HiLux Mako gets bespoke leather seats and a leather-wrap steering wheel with a distinct top-marker similar to that fitted to the Ford Ranger Raptor.

Toyota NZ reckons it’ll shift about 250 examples per year of the HiLux Mako, which will be priced at NZ$79,990, which positions it above the Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior over the ditch, but below the Ford Ranger Raptor.

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We contacted Toyota Australia for comment but were told, “All of Toyota’s NZ operations are separate from ours…”, so there’s not much chance of the NZ-modified HiLux Mako coming to Australia, but we wouldn’t rule out a similar halo model from Toyota Australia down the track.


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