Toyota Kirloskar Motor recently fulfilled a significant delivery by providing the Indian Army with a fleet of Toyota Hilux pickup trucks. These vehicles underwent rigorous testing for a span of two months, scrutinized by the Northern Command of the Indian Army’s Technical Evaluation Committee. The tests encompassed a range of challenging conditions, including rough terrain and extreme weather, with altitudes reaching up to 13,000 feet and sub-zero temperatures.
Subsequently, Toyota has unveiled two specially modified Hilux vehicles at the North Tech Symposium 2023 (NTS). This annual technology showcase event is organized by the Northern Command of the Indian Army in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and IIT Jammu.
To cater to the diverse requirements of different consumers, including the Indian Army, Toyota Kirloskar Motor conducted an extensive market survey. Based on the survey findings, the company collaborated with an authorized external vendor to make significant enhancements to two Hilux units: the Field Diagnosis Vehicle (FDV) and the Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV). These modifications were aimed at meeting the specific needs of the army and other specialized consumer demands.
The FDV Hilux is purposefully designed to provide vital vehicle servicing capabilities in remote and challenging locations, thereby supporting the Army at defense sites. Conversely, the RIV is equipped to handle firefighting and rescue operations during emergencies. In addition to these customized versions, the event also showcased the general-purpose Hilux, catering to personal and business use by general customers.
This event signifies a push towards promoting state-of-the-art indigenous development and production of defense technological capabilities, aligning with the concept of “Atmanirbharta” or self-reliance in the defense sector. This year’s event marks a significant leap in reinforcing the Indian Army’s endeavors in areas such as Synergy & Research Development and Innovation for the modernization of the Indian armed forces.
Under the hood, the Hilux is powered by a 2.8-liter, turbocharged diesel engine capable of delivering 201 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque in manual transmission and 500 Nm in automatic transmission.
The Hilux is offered in two variants – STD and High. The STD variant is available solely with a manual gearbox, while the High variant offers both manual and automatic gearbox options. Additionally, the Hilux comes equipped with 4×4 capability and a low-range gearbox as standard across all variants. Pricing for the Hilux starts at Rs 30.40 lakh, with the range-topping variant priced at 37.9 lakh (both prices Ex-showroom).