WINDHOEK – Toyota has released another Hilux Dakar, this one to celebrate its success in the 2015 Dakar Rally. The new special edition Hilux Dakar is a tribute to the rallying prowess of Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz who pulled off a class win in the T1 Petrol class and an overall second place on the podium at the 2015 Dakar in the Toyota Imperial Hilux.
Last year marked the 45th anniversary of the legendary Toyota Hilux, the current title-holder of South Africa’s best-selling vehicle. To commemorate this significant milestone, Toyota released the Legend 45, a new and improved version of the iconic Hilux which continues in series production for 2015.
In keeping with its flagship status, the Hilux Dakar builds on the already impressive Legend 45 package, boasting additional aesthetic and cabin enhancements. The Dakar treatment is applied to all Legend 45 models, with 50 percent of Legend production converted to Dakar models (to run for a period of three months).
Playing up the purposefulness of the design, the Dakar is differentiated from the Legend 45 by its two-tone stainless-steel, tubular front nudge bar finished in polished stainless steel with a matt black cross bar and official “Dakar” decal in white. Also by a two-tone stainless-steel tubular load bay styling bar with matt black cross plate and official “Dakar” decal in white.
Further differences between the two giants are the 17-inch alloy wheels in dark grey finish – differentiated from the lighter hued ‘anthracite’ of the Legend 45. The exterior mirror cladding and door handles are in glossy black finish.
The Dakar has a two-tone front grille with chrome border and glossy black horizontal slats while a unique official Dakar decaling is on the front nudge bar, front doors, styling bar and rear tailgate.
All Hilux Dakar models come standard with a five-year / 90 000km service plan. The Dakar single cab starting price is N$315,100 while the double cab starts at N$396,700.