Bookings For The Toyota Hilux Are Closed... For Now

• A variety of  factors impacting the company’s capability to meet customer demand has been cited as the reason behind temporarily halting bookings.

• Features include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, and powered driver’s seat.

• Gets a 204PS diesel engine with 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions and AWD.

• Off-roading assists include active traction control, 700mm water-wading capacity, and manual rear differential lock.

• Likely to be priced from over Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom).

While the recently unveiled Toyota Hilux is slated to go on sale in March, the "invincible" pickup truck seems to have hit a little roadblock on the way. The carmaker has had to temporarily stop accepting bookings for the Hilux. It was being accepted for a token amount of Rs 50,000 online and Rs 1 lakh at authorised dealerships. 

Part of the reason, Toyota claims, is down to the heightened demand for the pickup truck. But the real issue is a variety of factors that have impacted their supply, which has made it unable to meet customer demand for the Hilux. The Hilux will be 30 percent locally assembled in Karnataka. 

There are plenty of features on board the Hilux, including the Fortuner's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a multi-info coloured display, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a powered driver's seat. ABS with EBD, front parking sensors, and electronic stability control covers passenger safety. The carmaker is also offering a host of accessories which largely catered for the great outdoors.

The Hilux is powered by a 2.8-litre diesel, which is paired with a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter AT, and produces 204PS and 500Nm (420Nm with the manual gearbox). Both transmissions are specced with an all-wheel drivetrain. Off-road bits include an automatic limited slip differential, active traction control, electronic differential lock, a tyre angle monitor, and automatic hill assist control, and downhill assist control. 

There’s no word yet on when Toyota will resume bookings for the Toyota Hilux, but we expect it to resume post its launch in March. It will likely be priced above Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom), and will be a pricier alternative to the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross in the country.