Tag Archives: lifestyle

Lamborghini

Lamborghini Lounge Porto Cervo officially re-opens in Sardinia

Lamborghini DNA and exclusive lifestyle in a temporary venue open until September 10th

Sant’Agata Bolognese/Porto Cervo, July 24, 2022 – Automobili Lamborghini, in the year of the brand’s 60th anniversary, creates an exclusive and luxurious Lounge in Porto Cervo for the fifth summer in a row. During this summer the Lamborghini Lounge Porto Cervo, located on Promenade du Port in via Porto Vecchio, will welcome Lamborghini owners traveling to Costa Smeralda as well as greeting new customers in exclusive events and driving activities on some of Sardinia’s most beautiful roads and scintillating landscapes, under extraordinary sunsets. The lounge will remain open until September 10th, open to clients by appointment, and serving as the hub for test drive opportunities of the ‘lifestyle’ Super-SUV Urus S1, and the Huracán Tecnica2.

All Lamborghini Lounges, whether permanent (such as New York and Tokyo) or temporary (such as Doha or Dubai) are a point of reference for Lamborghini VIP customers and guests, combining the lifestyle of Lamborghini with the latest products, and embracing the brand’s DNA. The Lounge Porto Cervo, with its 600-square-meter inside area and the additional private patio, offers an immersive 360˚ brand experience via several elements, with furnishings designed together with partner Living Divani; designed accessories; and further Automobili Lamborghini branded projects.

Once inside, the main stars are two of the most recent super sports cars from Sant’Agata Bolognese. The new Lamborghini Revuelto3 shines in Bianco Monocerus as the marque’s first V12 super sports plug-in hybrid HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle) and represents the next step towards electrification as per the company’s strategy Direzione Cor Tauri. At its side, the Huracán Sterrato4 in Verde Gea goes beyond the expected, being the eclectic first all-terrain car, produced in just 1499 pieces (all sold out).

Welcomed by Lamborghini scent in every corner of the lounge, guests can sip an Italian espresso in the living area furnished by the brand’s Italian partner Living Divani, or taking a closer look at the 3T bike Exploro Racemax x Huracán Sterrato, painted in Verde Gea mirroring the all-terrain V10-powered super sports car. The experience continues with visitors’ immersion into the Lamborghini “Epic Road Trip” NFT projects, where Lamborghini super sports cars are the unmissable protagonists in places that virtual travelers can discover thanks to a QR code explaining the campaign. 

A key area of the Lounge Porto Cervo is the seasonal Ad Personam Studio: the dedicated area where even the most demanding Lamborghini customers can release their creativity to configure the super sports car of their dreams. In a vast assortment of samples, a plentitude of exterior colors, interior upholsteries, finishes and details available at Lamborghini can be selected in the virtual configurator with a Lamborghini product specialist. The brand’s main Ad Personam Studio located in Sant’Agata Bolognese re-opened to customers at the begininning of June after a major expansion. With a new setting and customer experience, it is an essential facet for the brand, showcasing more than 400 colours in its portfolio, and offering to customers infinite possibilities to express their own personality in their new super sports cars.

The Lounge experience in Porto Cervo is completed by an artistic representation of a core topic in both the strategy and the daily activity of Lamborghini: sustainability. Five artworks from the project “Inside Lamborghini” composed by Italian photographer Lucrezia Roda are exhibited here, showcasing emblematic examples of how the factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese became C02 neutral in 2015. It has stayed so ever since, even despite doubling the size of the production site: the state-of-the-art paintshop where all Urus are painted with 95% water-based paint, as well as the leather and carbon fiber upcycling process, are fully in line with the company’s philosophy of sustainability.

Originally from Lombardy, Lucrezia Roda’s vision, personal projects and commissions are mainly devoted to industry and the transformation of matter during industrial phases, which she processes and interprets through photography. Her artistic vision is defined by her command over colors and meticulous attention to detail. With industrial landscapes and abstract images, she blurs the lines between industrial photography and personal research.

The new Lamborghini Revuelto

Unveiled at the end of March 2023, the Lamborghini Revuelto is the first super sports V12 hybrid plug-in HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle). Revuelto defines a new paradigm in terms of performance, sportiness and driving pleasure from its unprecedented new architecture; innovative design; maximum-efficiency aerodynamics; and a new carbon frame concept. An output of 1015 CV is delivered from the combined power of an entirely new combustion engine together with three electric motors, alongside a double-clutch gearbox that makes its debut on a 12-cylinder Lamborghini for the first time.

The powertrain combines high specific power elements: the new 128 CV/liter combustion engine works synergically with two front axial flux motors that deliver an outstanding weight-to-power ratio, with a radial flux electric motor positioned above the first eight-speed double-clutch gearbox debuting on a 12-cylinder Lamborghini. The three electric motors are powered by a lithium-ion high specific power (4500 W/kg) battery pack that also supports a fully-electric drive mode.

Carbon fiber, produced via artisan craftmanship in the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory, is the principal structural element within the new car, used not only in the monofuselage and frame but also in all elements of the bodywork apart from the doors and bumpers. The extensive use of carbon fiber and lightweight materials, combined with the potent engine power, contributes to achieving the best weight-to-power ratio in the history of Lamborghini: 1,75 kg/CV.

The new Revuelto combines these attributes together with outstanding new aerodynamic design to deliver performance figures at the peak of its segment: acceleration from 0-100 km/h in only 2,5 seconds; 0-200 km/h in less than seven seconds; and a top speed of more than 350 km/h. These numbers combine with its exceptional dynamism thanks to the introduction of electric torque vectoring, and four-wheel drive available also in fully-electric drive mode, ensuring the Revuelto super sports car expresses its amplified qualities both on track and in daily driving.

1 Fuel consumption and emission values of Urus S; Fuel consumption combined: 14,1 l/100km (WLTP); CO₂-emissions combined: 320 g/km (WLTP)

2 Fuel consumption and emission values of Huracán Tecnica; Fuel consumption combined: 14,5 l/100km (WLTP); CO₂-emissions combined: 328 g/km (WLTP)

3 The vehicle is not yet offered for sale and is therefore not subject to Directive 1999/94/EC. The fuel consumption and emissions data are in the type of approval stage.

4 Fuel consumption and emission values of Huracán Sterrato; Fuel consumption combined: 14,9 l/100km (WLTP); CO2-emissions combined: 337 g/km (WLTP)

News

Starting Them Young: Husqvarna And GASGAS Launch Kids Balance E-Bikes

When it comes to learning how to ride a bicycle or motorcycle, kids these days have it easier than ever. Manufacturers like Husqvarna and GASGAS are developing bikes that help young riders shorten their learning curve and become the next generation of elite riders.

One popular trend is the use of balance bikes, which eliminate pedals and allow kids to focus on mastering the fundamentals of riding on two wheels. This not only prepares them for cycling, but also for motocross riding, as the basic skills of balancing a two-wheeler are the same. Husqvarna’s balance bikes, in particular, have become popular among kids and parents.

Both Husqvarna and GASGAS, which are part of the Pierer Mobility group, have recently released new balance electric bikes for kids. These bikes provide a suitable platform for kids up to 12 years old to learn the basics of balance, body positioning, and throttle control. Let’s take a closer look at each of these bikes.

GASGAS MC-E 1.20

The GASGAS MC-E 1.20 is a balance bike equipped with three power modes to cater to different skill levels. It features a TIG-welded aluminum frame that can withstand impacts, giving kids a sturdy base to learn and make mistakes. The bike is equipped with a Manito J-Unit Machete fork, providing 80mm of suspension travel, and hydraulic disc brakes for reliable stopping power.

Husqvarna EE 1.20

The Husqvarna EE 1.20 shares the same concept as the GASGAS bike but comes in Husqvarna’s signature white colorway. It also has three power modes, with the lowest setting limiting the speed to 16 km/h. As kids gain confidence, they can increase the speed to a maximum of 32 km/h in Advanced mode. The bike is suitable for kids up to 12 years old, with a minimum inseam requirement of 60cm for confident foot placement. Like the GASGAS bike, it features a Manitou J-Unit Machete fork and hydraulic disc brakes.

The Husqvarna EE 1.20 balance bike is already available at select Husqvarna dealerships, while the GASGAS MC-E 1.20 will be available at GASGAS showrooms starting August 2023. For pricing and availability information, contact your nearest Husqvarna or GASGAS dealer as prices may vary by region.

News

Can-Am Teams Up With The Shoe Surgeon For Limited-Edition Rykers

Motorcycles are not just means of transportation, they have also become lifestyle icons. Premium motorcycle brands have collaborated with renowned fashion brands. Vespa partnered with Christian Dior and Ducati with Bulgari, to name a few.

The latest collaboration is between Can-Am and The Shoe Surgeon, a popular sneaker label based in downtown Los Angeles. This collaboration is significant because both Can-Am and The Shoe Surgeon are experts in their respective fields – Can-Am in producing unique three-wheelers like the Can-Am Ryker, and The Shoe Surgeon in creating custom footwear for celebrities like Lebron James and Justin Bieber.

The Can-Am x Shoe Surgeon collaboration is not just about creating stylish three-wheelers and sneakers. It also aims to raise funds against bullying, promoting the theme of inclusivity which Can-Am and its parent company, BRP, have always emphasized. This collaboration could be their biggest initiative yet.

The limited model range consists of three themes, with each theme featuring a custom Can-Am Ryker and a matching pair of high-cut, motorcycle-style sneakers. The first theme focuses on inclusivity, showcasing a variety of leathers in different textures and colors. The Heritage Theme celebrates Can-Am’s 50th anniversary with a sleek and elegant design, featuring textured and exotic materials, and an all-black livery with striking red elements. The Love Theme gives the Ryker a unique appearance with a pink quilted finish on the bodywork, resembling down jackets, and futuristic blacked-out wheel covers.

News

10 Issues We Love About The New KTM 790 Adventure

Motorcycles have developed from being only a technique of transport to being enjoyable, way of life machines that serve completely different functions. And in relation to way of life bikes, journey bikes have created a distinct segment marketplace for themselves. They are constructed to tackle tough terrain and are a well-liked alternative with fanatics who like to discover the uncharted lands. KTM is one bike producer who appears to have understood this fanatic and his wants very effectively. The Austrian producer has a slew of journey bikes and the brand new 2023 KTM 790 Adventure is undeniably among the best journey bikes available on the market in the present day, particularly in case you are searching for a sub-1000 cc adventure touring motorcycle on a budget.

The newest iteration of the KTM 790 Adventure brings the efficiency and flexibility of the unique 2018 KTM 790 Adventure however has been reworked and redesigned for the 2023 mannequin yr. The modifications are fairly important and embody an all-new rally impressed bodywork and a brand new refined chassis. The 2023 KTM 790 Adventure additionally brings revamped suspension, a brand-new set of tires and a bunch of digital options which assist enhance dealing with and stability, making it the most effective twin floor bike in its section.

RELATED: 2023 KTM 790 Adventure: Performance, Price, And Photos

1 The Performance

An action shot of the 2023 KTM 790 ADVENTURE riding on the dirt
KTM
The new 2023 KTM 790 Adventure now comes with a EURO5 emissions score

One of the primary issues we think about earlier than shopping for a bike is its efficiency. And the brand new 2023 KTM 790 Adventure packs some critical energy. Inheriting the identical 799 cc parallel-twin engine from its predecessor (the 2018 KTM 790 Adventure), the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure churns out 93.8 horsepower and 64.1 pound-feet of torque. These figures are among the greatest within the middleweight journey bike section. In reality, no different sub-800 cc bike can match the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure’s energy and torque numbers which come seriously close to the 888 cc Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro. And these numbers aren’t simply there to make the spec sheet look good, they really ship. However, what makes the 2023 mannequin yr 790 Adventure much more particular is that it’s now EURO 5 compliant, which means that it’s now greener and eligible on the market in additional markets than earlier than. There’s additionally a reworked clutch and new clutch discs for smoother shifting and to not point out it comes with Quickshifter+ which helps you to upshift and downshift without needing to pull the clutch lever. The six-speed guide transmission turns out to be useful throughout lengthy rides. And simply in case you’re questioning, the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure can attain a high velocity of 140 mph.

2 The Styling

Side view of a 2023 KTM 790 Adventure overlooking rough terrain
KTM
The new 2023 KTM 790 Adventure options rally-inspired bodywork and in-mold graphics

Performance apart, the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure incorporates a new rally impressed bodywork which makes it look extra rugged and adventurous than earlier than whereas providing higher agility and low-drag penetration. It additionally sports activities a closely reworked entrance finish that includes twin side-by-side headlights, full with LED DRLs, which mixed with the high-mounted LED blinkers and LED headlight, give the bike true ready-to-race seems to be whereas providing superior visibility at evening. It additionally sports activities a taller windshield that not solely provides to the journey tourer seems to be however protects the rider from mud and wind. The massive aerodynamically designed anti-buffer vent on the windshield attracts air in behind the glass to cut back vacuum and even out the airflow towards the rider’s helmet. The 790 Adventure additionally sports activities in-mold graphics which can be molded into the panels and never stickered, which provides to the end and sturdiness of the bike. And lastly, KTM couldn’t have gone flawed with the 2 hanging coloration methods – a new white with orange graphics and a black option.

RELATED: The New 790 Adventure Is KTM’s Official Collaboration With China

3 The Chassis

Side view of a black 2023 KTM 790 Adventure
KTM
The New 2023 KTM 790 Adventure has a light-weight but robust Chrome Molybdenum Steel body

Adventure bikes take numerous assault. That is why they should have a robust chassis to tackle no matter floor you throw at them. KTM has accomplished a implausible job with the brand new 790 Adventure’s body. The 2023 790 Adventure makes use of a tubular, powder-coated Chrome-Molybdenum-Steel body that’s each light-weight and powerful, and it has been tuned to a 25.9-degree angle of rake for added power and rigidity. What’s extra, the engine acts as a confused member to cut back a pleasant chunk of the framing and the burden related to it. This intelligent engineering helps the KTM 790 Adventure obtain its gentle dealing with and contributes to a dry weight of simply 199 Kg (438.7 lbs.), making it simply 60 lbs heavier than its smaller sibling the entry-level KTM 390 Adventure. But in the event you thought this was a compromise, there’s a brand new engine protector that provides to the general power of the chassis and presents just a little extra peace of thoughts whereas out on the path.

4 Improved Ergonomics

2023 KTM 790 Adventure Front Quarter Styling
KTM
The 2023 KTM 790 Adventure sports activities a redesigned entrance finish with taller windshield

Like all journey bikes, the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure is a tall bike. The parallel-twin powerplant sits 233 mm (9.2 inches) above the bottom which is an honest floor clearance to deal with most rocks and boulders with out scraping the bike’s underbelly. However, with this type of floor clearance you’d count on to take a seat larger on the KTM 790 Adventure, however its seat top of 840 mm (33.1 inches) isn’t going to be a difficulty for many riders. The tank spoilers and rear aspect panels are barely wider than the seat, making it simpler to hit the lengthy street to nowhere, whereas the slim gasoline tank and foot peg place permits riders tall and quick to take a seat or stand comfortably for exact dealing with and improved rider motion. You get a break up seat as normal, however there’s an possibility for a single-piece rally seat together with different seat choices for extra adventurous offroading.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why You Should Buy An Adventure Bike

5 Enhanced Electronics Package

2023 KTM 790 ADVENTURE Top Rear View
KTM
The 2023 KTM 790 Adventure will get an all-new 5-inch TFT show

KTM has accomplished loads of enhancements to the brand new 790 Adventure’s already superior electronics package deal for the MY23 mannequin. The 2023 790 Adventure boasts a brand new 5-inch TFT show which bundles the instrumentation and electronics management into one location. The menu system has been redesigned to supply improved performance with every perform illustrated by an infographic of the bike to make it extra visually partaking so that you can make changes. Apart from the rider electronics, the brand new 5-inch show comes outfitted to ship music, turn-by-turn navigation and the power to take incoming cellphone calls with connectivity offered by the KTMconnect app via Bluetooth. It even comes with roadside help do you have to want it.

6 New Suspension Setup And Tires

An action side right shot of a 2023 KTM 790 ADVENTURE wheeling off-road
KTM
KTM has improved the suspension setup on the 2023 790 Adventure

To qualify as an journey bike, the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure wants to supply superior suspension and a some significantly good rubber. And this it does. With its spectacular suspension setup each on the entrance and rear mixed with the in depth suite of rider electronics options, the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure presents unwavering stability and traction on each floor. It will get a brand new suspension setup on the entrance with the 43 mm WP APEX forks (non-adjustable) and a WP APEX Monoshock on the rear with preload adjustability. Both these shockers provide 200 mm (7.87 inches) journey that ought to simply absorb some critical craters. As for the tires, the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure comes fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR that are among the best tires for journey bikes. These tires include massive tread blocks for conquering tough offroad tracks and trails, very best for riders searching for sturdiness, dealing with and mileage.

RELATED: Mods For Your Adventure Bike That Will Make It Even More Capable

7 Braking

Action shot showing the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure sliding on dirt in the jungle
KTM
The 2023 KTM 790 Adventure presents an Off-Road ABS mode and KTM MTC

Brakes are an essential a part of each bike, extra so when it’s an journey bike. And the newest KTM 790 Adventure presents some critical stopping energy. The 2023 KTM 790 Adventure comes outfitted with twin 320 mm discs with twin radially-mounted four-piston calipers on the entrance wheel and a 260 mm disc with two-piston floating caliper out on the again. Both these brakes provide sufficient chew to deliver the bike to a standstill in a matter of seconds but when this setup doesn’t sound too reassuring, the ABS characteristic comes with an Off-Road Mode which you’ll dial in if you exit to beat new terrains. More on that within the subsequent part.

8 Rider Aids

An action front shot of a 2023 KTM 790 ADVENTURE on a twisty road
KTM
The 2023 KTM 790 Adventure presents a bunch of rider aids to make the trip safer

KTM knew you may be throwing the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure on all sorts of terrain, so it outfitted its newest journey bike with all of the essential riders aids to maintain you secure and improve the general driving expertise. ABS comes normal and is built-in into all three default driving modes – Rain, Street and Off-Road. The 790 Adventure additionally options KTM’s newest Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) expertise which makes use of a sophisticated 6D inertial measurement unit to enhance traction. This 6D sensor continuously displays and evaluates the dynamic state of the bike to boost security and stability throughout braking and cornering. The new Cornering Traction Control characteristic lets you use full braking energy mid-corner, thus enhancing cornering traction. Simply put, these rider aids make the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure a great adventure motorcycle for beginners.

RELATED: Why Adventure Bikes Are Taking Over The Industry

9 The Factory Installed Demo Feature

2023 KTM 790 ADVENTURE Action
KTM
The manufacturing unit put in Demo characteristic lets riders preview all of the electronics extras earlier than selecting to maintain them

The 2023 KTM 790 Adventures comes pre-installed with a “Demo” characteristic straight out of the manufacturing unit. Although it might appear a bit gimmicky, this nifty characteristic lets you preview all of the digital driving extras until you hit 1,500 km (932 miles) on the odometer earlier than making a call whether or not to pay to maintain these extras. Of course, the Demo mode has its execs and cons relying on the way you take a look at it. It’s at all times good to have a trial interval earlier than deciding to purchase one thing, however… By letting you get the most effective out of your 790 Adventure for a sure time, or distance on this case, it kinda ruins your future expertise with the bike in the event you select to not preserve any of the additional options after the trial ends.

10 Fuel Capacity

An action front 3/4 shot of a 2023 KTM 790 ADVENTURE riding on the road
KTM
The 5.2-gallon gasoline tank of the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure ensures riders additional

When you’re heading out for an journey or touring an extended distance on a motorcycle, a big gasoline tank is at all times good to have. And whereas touring bikes have enormous gasoline tank capacities, the 2023 KTM Adventure’s beneficiant 5.2-gallon gasoline tank ensures that you just don’t must make these frequent stops on the gasoline station and waste your time for a refill, particularly if you’re out in areas the place there aren’t any gasoline stations for miles. Plus, the 790 Adventure’s newly attained EURO5 compliance ought to lead to higher gasoline effectivity than earlier than. And if that does not sound too interesting, the knock sensors fitted to the engine that make sure you gained’t have any downside operating your 2023 KTM 790 Adventure with low octane fuels, very best for driving in areas with restricted gasoline choices.

Featured

We Took The Toyota Hilux On An Off-road Expedition!

The premium pickup is quite a desirable lifestyle offering, we find out how it handles itself on both tarmac and dirt

Toyota Hilux off-roading

The Toyota Hilux legacy began around 55 years ago and the iconic pickup truck only graced our shores in early 2022. It arrived with a hefty price tag well over Rs 30 lakh even with localised assembly as a CKD kit, putting it beyond the reach of many. As such, the Hilux has become a highly desirable lifestyle vehicle. So when Toyota invited us to join them on their first-ever Great 4x4Xpedition for a short road trip, we were thrilled to get the keys to the Hilux for all of it.

What is the 4x4Xpedition?

Given its popular range of premium off-road vehicles, Toyota has kickstarted an event that would allow its customers to experience their cars to the fullest. Hence, the creation of this new experiential event, the “Great 4x4Xpedition”. 

Toyota 4x4Xpedition

As of now, this event is not exclusive to Toyota customers and open to all who wish to participate with their 4×4 cars. In this first iteration itself, the convoy of 30-odd cars included a few Mahindras too (Thar and Scorpio N). There was even a kitted-out Isuzu D-Max V-Cross. 

There were over ten Toyota Hilux pickups in our convoy, showing its popularity despite the pricing. They were all the top-spec variants which cost almost Rs 40 lakh on-road. Many joined us in their Fortuners while Toyota even brought along a company-owned Land Cruiser LC300.

What was the plan?

The route for this event would take us around 200 kilometres away from Bengaluru and into the hills. There, the Japanese carmaker had organised an off-road course that would showcase the full potential of the Hilux’s rugged capabilities.

Toyota 4x4Xpedition

This expedition gave us a chance to experience the Toyota Hilux pickup in a variety of driving conditions, similar to how most of its owners would use it, and more.

On the highways

The pickup is offered with a 2.8-litre diesel engine and the one we were piloting was the 6-speed manual transmission. In this variant, the diesel plant has plenty of grunt on offer, at 204PS and 480Nm. Although a manual, the torquey delivery of the powertrain made for a smooth and relaxed cruise for the 150+ kilometres of highway driving. 

Toyota Hilux on highway

The pickup does offer cruise control, but there was rarely a chance to implement it given Indian driving conditions. It even gets an iMT function, but we chose to drive the Hilux as a proper three-pedal manual offering.

Thanks to its height, the Hilux has a very commanding driver’s position with a great view of the road ahead. The rear leaf springs do make the ride a bit stiff, especially for the rear passenger.

Toyota Hilux MT interior

In terms of convenience, the Hilux is a fairly premium and well-equipped offering. Its 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was easy to use but it really should offer wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well. As the top-spec High variant, it offered the comforts of dual-zone climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and leather seat upholstery. 

In the hills

The Hilux is big, and that size is even more noticeable when you take it into the narrow hilly roads. It is surprisingly dynamic through the corners despite its long body with the spacious truck bed behind the cab. Once again, the torquey nature of that large diesel engine is plenty sufficient for overtaking even on an incline. Even when the tarmac runs out, the Hilux just keeps going undeterred.

Toyota Hilux in the hills

Taking a few wrong turns meant getting familiar with the Hilux’s turning radius in those narrow spaces. Thanks to its high ground clearance, small ditches do not limit you from making room to do a full U-turn in an otherwise cramped spot. 

Through the trenches

The Toyota Hilux gets 4WD as standard with on-the-fly switching. We got into the automatic variant for the off-roading course, to make life a little easier. The course was dug up specifically to be completed by the participating vehicles.

Toyota 4x4Xpedition off-road course

The first thing to do was to turn the drive control dial from 2H to 4-low to engage the low-range gearbox. It started off easy with a positive-side incline (the car is tilting towards the passenger side), followed by driving in and out of a deep ditch, and then a negative-side incline (the opposite of the first one). These are relatively mild off-roading obstacles that show off the car’s ground clearance, its approach, break-over and departure angles, and its overall stability.

Land Cruiser off-roading

Next was the articulation test which shows off the Hilux’s body rigidity. For this test, we had to engage the electronic rear differential lock. This ensures that there is no loss in power delivery when the system detects a lack of grip on any of the four wheels. With a little guidance from the experts regarding steering input to keep us from getting stuck, the Hilux makes easy work of this test. You can even stop in the middle and balance the pickup with only one tire of each axle on level ground. 

Going up!

We kept the differential lock on for the next challenge as well – the hill climb. The gradient of the incline was approximated at 45 degrees with only a dirt path, but it’s not a problem for the Hilux whatsoever. Just pick your line of ascent and keep your foot down in 4-Low till you reach the top of the hill.

Toyota Hilux hill climb

What goes up…

The last challenge required the least driver input – the hill descent. The rear differential lock was disengaged and we switched on the Downhill Assist Control (or DAC as the button’s label).

Simply feather the throttle till the ground falls below your eye line and feel the car tilt over the drop, and then take both feet off the pedals. The DAC electronically applies the brakes to make sure you descend the hill in a slow and controlled manner. You can just focus on steering it in the right direction. In the case of a long descent, while driving an automatic, it is advised to switch to manual gear selection and lock it in first gear to retain maximum vehicle control.

Toyota Hilux hill descent

Through every obstacle, the Hilux gave plenty of confidence with the heavy steering and the 4WD system. It was so easy, that even my colleague who’d never done any kind of off-roading course was able to complete the course in the pickup without any hassle.

Final thoughts on the Toyota Hilux

We spent three days with the iconic Toyota pickup, covering close to 500km in total. In every scenario, from the driver’s seat, the Hilux was hard to fault. The thrust of that massive diesel engine is somewhat addictive, it feels stable at highway speeds and is relatively nimble when you need it to be. Its off-roading prowess comes as no surprise, but the actual usability across scenarios was impressive. 

Toyota Hilux Rear

If there’s one thing that makes the Hilux a bit difficult to live with as a city dweller, it’s the size. Yes, it does have front and rear parking sensors that are quite helpful in tight spots and while parking, but it’s always a bit stressful through crowded city streets if you are not used to the size.

The Toyota Hilux is not a substitute replacement for conventional full-size SUVs. It’s an adventurous choice and one that many of us would like to be able to make.

Read More on : Toyota Hilux diesel

Lexus

COMING SOON: THE ALL-NEW 2024 LEXUS GX

About Lexus

Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With seven models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers eight F SPORT models, one F performance model and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.