What is the Top of the RangeToyota Hilux

 

What is the Top of the RangeToyota Hilux

From £52,562 inc VAT based on 2.8 Invincible X Approved Arctic Trucks conversion

Toyota has reintroduced the Hilux AT35 – with a new version of the extreme off-road machine based on the recently launched 2.8 Invincible X Double-Cab.

Modified ed by Arctic Trucks, the vehicle is offered as an authorized conversion – with extensive chassis, suspension, handling, and styling upgrades designed to enhance its already formidable off-road abilities. Toyota says these modifications also ‘amplify its powerful looks,’ which is hard to argue with, though you’d hope most people will buy it for its abilities rather than its pose value.

The AT35 conversion is a little different for each model, however, the Hilux is based on what has become a tried and trusted approach.

It uses Bilstein suspension with longer springs and shocks up front and extended shackles, long-travel shocks, and an adjusted anti-roll bar at the rear to achieve a lift of 40mm and 20mm respectively. 

Elsewhere, Arctic Trucks also modifies the Hilux’s frame, inner arches, and bodywork in order to accommodate its 315/70R17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires. That’s 34.4” by 12. 4”, to save you from looking it up. Unlike some AT35 models, the Hilux has revised diff ratios

to correct the tyres’ effect on their overall gearing.

The result of all this is an extra 65mm of ground clearance, with approach and departure angles improved by 9° and 3° respectively. In addition, the tyres’ greater footprint allows them to tread more lightly over very soft terrain, especially

when aired down, and the vehicle’s wider track means its stability isn’t compromised by the conversion’s effect on its center of gravity.

The donor vehicle is fitted as standard with Toyota’s six-speed automatic gearbox, meaning you don’t need to sacrifice torque and momentum for gearchanges –something that can make all the difference to the success and safety of a Hillclimb.

On the subject of torque, the new 2.8-liter engine is not short of this – it’s retained in standard form in the AT35 with an output of 201bhp and 369lbf.ft, the latter from 1600rpm.

To keep things strictly real, even with so much off-road ability there’s every chance that most buyers will be after the AT35 for its butch looks. The sheer size of its tires and suspension is the biggest weapon in its arsenal here, however, it also comes with Arctic Trucks’ unique wheel arch flares and wider side steps, as well as AT35 badging

 and a ‘30th Anniversary’ decal – a reference to the company’s original roots as an offshoot of Toyota’s official importer in its home country of Iceland.

The conversion also includes a tubular rear bumper with a built-in two-inch receiver hitch.

allowing you to attach a tow ball, winch, step, bike carrier, or whatever other accessories you fancy. In addition, the options list includes full underbody armor, a Vision X grille-mounted light bar, and a Truxedo low-profile load cover. You can upgrade the tires to BFGoodrich KM3 Mud-Terrains, too, as well as speccing an onboard inflation/deflation kit with a 12V compressor in the engine bay.

The AT35 is fully type-approved and retains its commercial vehicle status. The conversion actually improves the vehicle’s payload slightly, from 1010 to 1053kg, and its braked towing limit remains unchanged at 3500kg.

What’s not unchanged, inevitable, is its price. The 2.8 Invincible X Auto costs £33,782.50 on the road in standard form, with VAT on top, and the Arctic Trucks conversion bumps that up by just over 50%. It’s quoted at £18,780 plus VAT – taking the ticket price to £52,562.50 or if the taxman doesn’t like the look of your face, £63,075.

That money gets you a Hilux with Toyota’s 60-month / 100,000-mile warranty still intact – and if you want it to be, its immense strength and dependability mean this is a car for life. It’s available to order now through Toyota’s full dealer network – though only on the range-topping Invincible X.