The updated Toyota Hilux bakkie has been teased, this time with Fernando Alonso seen thrashing the prototype around.

Seasoned racing professional Fernando Alonso has been hard at work since his 13th place at the 2020 Dakar Rally. He's been behind the wheel of the facelifted Toyota Hilux as it undergoes thorough testing.

Alonso said: “Hilux is an icon and I’ve always been a fan. It was good to test the new Hilux in a challenging environment and to push it to the limits. The new engine behaves well and the new suspension feels great. Even when you push it, the comfort is still there.”

What do we know about the new Toyota Hilux? Well officially, the updated model will feature revised suspension geometry and a new 2.8-litre powertrain. Unofficially, thanks to a leak, we've seen some design elements both inside and out. Toyota Australia is already preparing for the arrival of the updated model so we estimate that market will be getting it in the next few months, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has likely caused a delay.

Regarding a possible arrival time in South Africa, Toyota SA had this to say, "We will be getting those models but not now. Our timing is quite different to Australia as they don’t source their vehicles from SA. In addition, SA-unique models like the Legend 50 and Dakar models bridge the gap and extend the life of our current Hilux product offerings."

See the leak of the updated Toyota Hilux here.

Further Reading

Toyota Hilux Facelift Due Soon

Toyota GR Hilux to Pack V6 Power?

Toyota Hilux by Wald is a Boss

Toyota Hilux Aces Stricter Safety Test