Seeing as the bakkie segment is one favoured by many South Africans, it is no surprise that manufacturers introduce special edition variants of some of their models. Take Isuzu for example, which has quite a number of special editions and packages available on its KB range.
Ford is another such contender with special editions of its Ranger model. Toyota has also given us many different versions of the Hilux with the likes of the Legend 35, 40, 45, the Dakar Edition and now, for the latest Hilux, the new Black Edition.
My test car was white though, but regardless of this, the Black Edition has been fitted with a number of styling enhancements which in my opinion have made it even more appealing. Let me break it down for you.
The bumpers
This is not some over-the-top bodykit stuck to the car with two-way tape and super glue. No, this is a factory fitted item which enhances the overall look of the vehicle, positively. The front bumper features a new gloss black insert, while the grille gets a black finish. At the rear, the bumper is also finished in gloss black which rather nicely blends with our tester’s white paint work.
Along the side
Unlike a standard Hilux, the Black Edition receives extended wheel arch covers and 18-inch dual tri-spoke alloy wheels derived from the top spec Fortuner. Despite their silly size on a vehicle likely to venture off-road frequently, I found them to be acceptable and even took the Hilux for some light off-road work during my tenure.
Viewed from the top
To further enhance the rebel character of the Black, Toyota has given it a gloss black roof which blends into the black tonneau cover and roll bar. It looks good and certainly attracted a lot of attention and enquires wherever it went.
The inside
It’s not just the exterior that has been given a change, the interior is also fitted with some extra goodies. For starters, the driver’s seat is electrically operated and finished in black leather with silver stitching, with the same applying to the steering wheel. Further styling additions include carbon fibre-style panels on the dashboard and doors as well as on the gear lever.
Model range
The Black Edition is available on the 2.8 GD-6 double cab model range. My test unit was the 2.8 GD-6 4x4 with its 130kW/420Nm and six-speed manual gearbox, which means it gets a feature called i-MT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) which blips the revs on down shifts for a smoother change.
Conclusion
The new Hilux Black Edition is a good looking bakkie which remains a comfortable, proven and capable vehicle. I can definitely see the lifestyle appeal with all the styling additions. At the end of the day though, it’s a Hilux and much like the Ford Ranger, it will remain a top seller regardless of the colour of its roof.
Price:
Hilux Raider Black 2.8 GD-6 - R521 100
Hilux Raider Black 2.8 GD-6 AT - R538 900
Hilux Raider Black 2.8 GD-6 4x4 - R585 900
Hilux Raider Black 2.8 GD-6 4x4 AT - R604 300
