The Hilux 2.5 D-4D (Raised Body) Raider Double Cab is the latest recipient of Toyota's Variable Nozzle Turbo (VNT) diesel engine.

Following the downsizing trend, this new powerplant — which comes courtesy of the Fortuner 2.5 — offers a lot more grunt, enhanced fuel economy and enhanced refinement, without having to hike up the engine capacity.

Power increases from 75kW to 106kW, while torque rises substantially from 260Nm to 343Nm.

The variable nozzle turbo does most of the work. The turbine blade, for example, is infinitely adjustable, allowing for the blade angles to be optimised depending on engine load. Another clever piece of tech comes into play when the exhaust gas pressure is still weak — the blades close, forcing the exhaust gas to flow in a narrower area. This in turn automatically increases the pressure that allows the compressor to work.

At high rpm, the angle of the blades is fully open to avoid the kind of pressure that can damage a turbocharger. It's also worth noting that the turbo is activated at very low rpm due to the fact that the blades are powered by an electric motor.

The new engine is mated exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission.

In addition to the engine upgrade, all Raider models plus the Xtra Cab SRX are now offered with exterior mirrors that are electrically retractable. Manual headlamp levelling has also been added to the features list on all Hilux models.

Pricing:
Toyota Hilux Raider 2.5 D-4D (Raised Body) Raider Double Cab: R358 000
(standard with five-year or 90 000km service plan).