Toyota Australia has confirmed retail prices and specification for the Hilux Rogue and Rugged X which are expected to arrive in dealerships in the second half of November 2020.
The final timing will be determined by the level of restrictions in Melbourne where the vehicles undergo final assembly.
Toyota Australia’s local conversions and accessories division led engineering, development and testing for the new components fitted to these models, including an motorised roller cover for HiLux Rogue and the new grille and related components for HiLux Rugged X.
These specialised components – including features such as the rock rails and hoop-less bull bar on Rugged X – are fully integrated and engineered into the core vehicles and covered by the standard factory warranty.
Hilux Rogue
Toyota’s design studio in Melbourne contributed to ensuring the Hilux Rogue was redesigned as a global vehicle to be tailored and sold in markets around the world.
The brief was to achieve a combination of additional toughness, complemented by a more recreational focus for a vehicle designed to go anywhere.
Rogue is distinguished with a vertical grille that is dark and bold, flowing from the bonnet down to the prominent lower bumper and under-guard.
To achieve a more unified look, the LED headlamps – now with dark internals – combine with the bold outer corners of the bumper, which links to the strong fog lamp surrounds.
An assertive side profile continues the purposeful theme with aggressive fender flares, unique wheel-arch mouldings and an all-new resin sports bar.
Toyota’s local conversions and accessories team was determined to set a new standard for performance with the introduction of an innovative motorised roller cover.
An integrated cargo-protection system, it is equipped with remote power-operated opening and closing linked to the central-locking system. It is also equipped with an anti-jam function, integrated lighting, anti-theft design and high levels of weatherproofing and dust protection.
After benchmarking and tear-down of similar products, locally developed prototypes were subjected to testing including rough-road durability – ensuring the same durability as the rest of the vehicle.
Testing included Toyota’s rough-road circuit in Japan – the same location that confirms the strength and durability of vehicles like LandCruiser.
Extensive field tests in Australia confirmed weather protection and the ability to keep out dust – a non-negotiable requirement for the large number of customers who use their vehicles on dirt tracks or take them off-road.
Designed in tandem with the motorised roller cover, the new sports bar is made from resin, which is easier to form than steel. This also allows the new bar to have a more intricate and stylish “sailplane” shape.
The Rogue also features dark new designs for its 18-inch wheels, rear bumper and tailgate, along with the security of two front and four rear parking sensors. Improvements to the marine-grade carpet tub liner improve its appearance and coverage area.
With the design makeover completed by a chrome Toyota tailgate badge and new decals on the tailgate and sports bar, the Hilux Rogue is priced from $68,990.
Hilux Rugged X
A wider, stronger-looking grille for Rugged X features a defined surround and bold 3D mesh that integrates with a new bonnet and dark headlamps that sit above body-colour infill panels to give them an even more distinct appearance.
The steel bumper design was preserved, but details like the driving light bezels have been re-designed to integrate with the new grille theme and lower bash plate that now proudly displays the Toyota brand in black.
Other Rugged X styling enhancements include bolder, more pronounced over-fenders combine with newly designed, chiselled jet-black 17-inch wheels, along with signature decals on the bonnet and rear quarter panel – all of which give the vehicle an even more purposeful look.
The new grille and related components were fully engineered and designed in-house in Australia, including extensive local testing to ensure cooling performance.
Computer-aided design confirmed airflow through to the radiator while the ability to absorb stone impacts and vibrations on rough roads was confirmed by real-world and laboratory testing.
The durability of the Rugged X grille and surrounds was confirmed through millions of cycles of shaking at its “resonance frequency” in the local company’s vibration chamber. The stress testing also included temperatures from minus-30 degrees to 80 degrees.
An important factor in the grille redesign was the need to reposition the Toyota emblem and Toyota Safety Sense millimetre-wave radar positioned behind it, as well as minor adjustments to the hoop-less bull bar and other components.
Local testing confirmed that the calibration for this vital safety sensor – which works in tandem with a monocular camera mounted at the top of the windscreen – meets the global standards set by Toyota.
The Rugged X is also with other locally designed and engineered features for enhanced protection, functionality and recovery capability for serious off-roading.
These include heavy-duty front springs, snorkel with a reversible head, red-painted front and rear recovery points, heavy-duty rock rails, sports bar with recreational attachment points, moulded tub tray with tailgate protection, and a heavy-duty rear bumper with integrated step.
Impressive lighting performance includes outboard driving lights and a signature, centrally mounted LED light bar.
The Rugged X is priced from $69,990. Both the Hilux Rogue and the Hilux Rugged X are covered by Toyota Service Advantage with each of the first six scheduled services costing just $250.
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