When we talk about automobile enthusiasts, they can be broadly categorised into two sections: one who loves speed & thrill and the other who loves to explore the unconquered terrains. For the latter, Toyota SUVs are among their preferred new car choice because of their trustworthiness, durability and exceptional off-road capabilities.
In this story, we’ll scour what an off-road enthusiast hunts for in a motorcar, explore Toyota’s most satisfactory off-road vehicle and discuss their safety features and performance.
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The ultimate wishlist for an off-road adventure enthusiast
- AWD or 4x4 Drivetrain: One of the most essential things to win any terrain is the off-road capable part/full-time 4x4 or all-wheel-drive system for optimum traction in challenging terrains. The 4WD system also gets selectable ratios/transfer cases.
- High Ground Clearance, Approach, Departure and Breakover Angles: The vehicle’s geometry should be well-suited for off-roading. So, a higher value of these would enable the vehicle to navigate the obstacles effortlessly.
- Differential Locks: The diff lock ensures all wheels spin at the same speed, regardless of the traction. This prevents the wheels from getting stuck on loose terrain like mud and sand.
- Off-road/All-Terrain Tyres: Off-road tyres have deep treads and strengthened sidewalls to ensure maximum traction on unpaved surfaces like mud, sand and loose dirt. On the other hand, all-terrain tyres (AT tyres) are a mixture of on-and-off-road tyres designed to perform on a variety of surfaces like snow, mud, rock, sand and tarmac. AT tyres are well-suited for those who frequently transition between paved and rugged terrains.
- Mighty Suspensions: Suspensions are vital parts of any vehicle. For off-road, robust suspension with great wheel travel and high load-carrying capabilities is required that can absorb shocks from unpaved paths and terrains without much compromising on the vehicle's stability.
- Electronic Aids: Modern-day off-road vehicles come loaded with some crucial state-of-the-art technologies like traction control system, electronic stability control, hill start & descent assist, terrain management, driving modes, multi-terrain modes, auto diff lock, tyre pressure monitoring system, crawl mode, 360-degree camera, parking sensors and tyre direction indicators. These features are designed to enhance off-road performance and traction in challenging terrains, aid drivers in navigating tricky geographies, and push driver’s morale and control when venturing into tough off-road environments.
- Winch: A device with an electric motor running a steel-wire/fabric rope spool to pull a vehicle out of difficult situations or to rescue other vehicles.
Toyota’s Off-Road Enabled Models In India
Catering to adventure seekers, Toyota has three off-road-ready vehicles in its India line-up: Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Toyota Fortuner and Toyota Hilux.
- Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder: Toyota offers the non-hybrid manual version of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder with an AWD system. Co-developed with Maruti Suzuki, it gets Suzuki’s All-Grip Select AWD system that gets four driving modes: AUTO, SPORT, SNOW, and LOCK. It uses a Feedback Control Module that anticipates slippage based on factors like the steering angle, throttle opening position, and road surface conditions. Afterwards, it distributes power and torque in accordance with the anticipated requirements. It is mainly advantageous for moderate off-road seekers who desire versatility and control in their driving experiences.
- Toyota Fortuner and Toyota Legender: Both the Toyota Fortuner and Legender get a full-time 4WD system. The 4WD mode should be used only on low-traction areas. It is worth noting both vehicles have exceptional road-road capabilities and come with plenty of electronic aids and off-road features. However, being a purpose-focused lifestyle pickup truck, the Toyota Hilux is superior when it comes to off-roading.
Toyota Hilux: Toyota’s True Blue Off-Roader
Technical Specifications
- Engine: 2.8 litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel
- Max Power: 208PS
- Peak Torque: 420 Nm (MT) / 500Nm (AT)
- Transmission: 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic
- Drivetrain: 4WD with Auto Limited Slip Differential
- Suspensions: Double wishbone (front) and leaf spring rigid axle (rear) with Pitch &
- Bounce Control Stabilizer
- Ground Clearance: 190mm
- Wheelbase: 3,000mm
- Approach Angle: 29.22 degrees
- Departure Angle: 26.35 degrees
- Water Wadding Capacity: up to 700mm Turning Radius: 6.4 meters
Toyota Hilux Off-Road Features
- 4WD Modes: The Toyota Hilux’s 4WD system gets two modes: 4H and 4L. The 4H is essentially a four-wheel drive high-range mode, especially for situations where you might need a bit of speed as well as increased traction. On the other hand, the 4L stands for four-wheel-drive low range, which is for extremely low traction situations like water, mud, and sand.
- Traction Control (TRC): Helps in preventing wheel slippage in low traction situations by reducing engine power and starting braking when one of the wheels starts slipping.
- Auto Limited Slip Differential (Auto LDS / Active LSD): Auto LSD improves traction by applying the brake to spinning wheels and redirecting the power to those with the highest grip, thus enhancing stability and control.
- Electronic Differential Lock: Works in conjunction with the traction control system, it utilises braking force on individual wheels to balance power distribution to help the vehicle maintain a grip on the surface.
- Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Brake Assist (BA): With the help of braking and traction control systems, the VSC helps to keep the vehicle stable, particularly in understeer and oversteer conditions.
- Hill Assist Control: This system prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards on incline surfaces/hilly areas when the driver releases the foot brake to accelerate.
- Downhill Assist Control (DAC): This system automatically brakes individual wheels to maintain control and a safe rate of descent on steep slopes, thus enhancing the driver’s confidence and safety.
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