Indian Army Bolsters Fleet With New Wheels As Toyota Hilux Joins Forces

In a new development coming from the Indian Army, Toyota Hilux 4X4 has joined the armed forces. Toyota Kirloskar Motors handed over the units to the Northern Command. However, this comes after a rigorous 2 months of testing by the Northern Command of the Indian Armys Technical Evaluation Committee before being inducted into the fleet. The pick-up-styled vehicle adds to the practical use of various defense utilities.

Let's look at the details of the matter.

Toyota Hilux Now Joins The Indian Army

After testing in extreme terrains and temperatures, the Hilux stood tall. This proved as a reliable defense partner, also something Toyota vehicles have been doing for quite some time internationally. However, there is no update if the Hilux is modified according to the Army's needs.

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In a statement, the Army conveyed: We are happy to receive the first fleet of Toyota Hilux, which measures up to the requirements of the Indian Army. We acknowledge TKMs support to customize the Hilux, passing through our stringent road tests with its strong off-roading strengths and extreme performance under stringent weather, and difficult terrain conditions, which is key to our requirements. We look forward to utilizing this fleet of Hilux for the purposes meant.

Toyota Hilux Powertrain Details

Mechanically, the Hilux comes with a 2.8-liter, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 204hp and 420Nm of torque (500Nm in the case of the automatic variant). Transmission options include a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

Above all, the Hilux comes with a four-wheel-drive system as standard. Along with a low-range gearbox, front, and rear electronic differential locks, it gets impressive off-road credentials. It boasts an approach angle of 29 degrees, a departure angle of 26 degrees, and a water-wading capacity of 700mm. As a result, these features contribute to the Hilux's prowess in handling challenging terrains and adverse driving conditions.

What More Vehicles Serve The Indian Army

The Indian Army's 4x4 fleet includes various vehicles like the Maruti Gypsy, Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari Storme (GS800), and Tata Xenon pick-up. 12 On top of this, Tata Nexon EVs are also on the pending order list. Since Toyota SUVs are known for reliability and low maintenance, Hilux becomes the latest addition to the movers.

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