One-off Hilux V8 to celebrate one-million Hilux sales in SA, 335 kW and trick suspension

Toyota has sold one-million Hiluxes in South Africa. As a celebration of the milestone it has developed a very special one-off V8 Hilux. The special Hilux combines technologies from its experience in Dakar and a Lexus V8 under the bonnet.

Toyota Hilux REX Details

We were able to take REX (Racing EXperience) for a quick spin on a short dirt track constructed at the Gerotek testing facility. The V8 under the bonnet is the highlight, combined with a roaring soundtrack that gives it pure racecar pedigree. The Lexus sourced 5-Litre V8 stamps out 335 kW and 600 Nm of torque. It’s an absolute beast, it shunts the Hilux out of corners like it’s escaping a stabbing.

The Hilux REX is not just about power however, in order to make it a more capable machine the REX also has a few suspension and sports upgrades. The suspension was softened a bit as it no longer needs to take heavy loads at the rear. It was also fitted with fully adjustable dampers and has been lowered by 50mm. The steering has been sped up to make the Hilux REX more agile and responsive to steering inputs. The brakes have been uprated to handle the extra power and the discs measure 350mm with four-piston calipers. Seemingly one of the few standard parts is the gearbox, which comes straight from a Hilux D-4D. That’s right, they hooked a diesel gearbox up to a petrol V8.

The modifications have been done by the same team that runs Toyota’s motorsport project in SA. They have been responsible for the Hiluxes string of podiums at the Dakar. Our short blast in the Hilux REX revealed that it’s an exciting bakkie that makes a proper sound with some performance to back it up.

Toyota currently has no plans to build any more than just this one-off model, but if demand is sufficient, it could be tempted into a very limited production run. It’s entirely road legal and would certainly give most sportscars a run for their money in a straight line.

Hilux REX Video