Toyota tried crushing its new electric truck with a 1,675-pound caravan to prove it’s still “the world’s toughest pick-up,” and it drove off as if nothing had happened.
Toyota recreates legendary caravan drop with its EV truck
Remember in 2003 when Top Gear attempted, and failed, to destroy a Toyota Hilux? The pickup was hit with a wrecking ball, submerged in water, and then placed on a 23-story building that was then demolished.
To prove the Hilux is still “the world’s toughest pickup” over 20 years later, even with an electric powertrain, Toyota turned to Reddit for help.
After inviting subreddits across the UK to vote on how to put the electric pickup through the paces, the response was overwhelming.
The challenge was determined after hundreds called for the Hilux BEV to be put through the caravan drop test, as Top Gear originally did in 2003.
Toyota recreated the challenge at Bentwaters airfield in Suffolk, hoisting a 1,675 lb (760 kg) caravan 30 feet into the air with a crane, then dropping it directly onto the roof of Toyota’s electric pickup.
Aside from a few battle wounds on the body, the Hilux BEV powered right up and drove off immediately, as if nothing had happened.
And the caravan drop is just the start. Toyota handed over the keys to its electric pickup to the Top Gear YouTube channel for more brutal testing. You can see the original Reddit poll here.
The Hilux BEV is Toyota’s first electric pickup and body-on-frame EV. Powered by an all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrain, the dual-motor setup delivers a combined 278 hp (208 kW) and 348 lb-ft (473 Nm) of torque, enabling it to tow over 3,700 lbs (1,700 kg).
Toyota’s electric Hilux is its first electric vehicle equipped with Multi-Terrain Select (MTS). The electronic control system has five drive modes that automatically alternate to optimize performance and control based on the terrain and driving conditions.
Powered by a 59.2 kWh water-cooled lithium-ion battery, the Hilux BEV offers a WLTP driving range of up to 160 miles (257 km). On the city cycle, Toyota said it can drive up to 236 miles (380 km) on a single charge.
With DC fast-charging of up to 125 kW, the electric pickup can recharge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
In the UK, the base Toyota Hilux BEV Icon is available to order from £42,170 ($56,500), not including VAT.
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