Toyota Australia has launched the 2011 Toyota Rukus Halo Limited Edition, with a bright new paint colour and a range of extra features.
Based on the entry-level Rukus Build 1 model, the Halo is finished in unique Voodoo Blue paint. The blue theme extends to the front and rear footwell lighting and highlights in the grey interior upholstery.
Other additional features include the tilt-and-slide moonroof and a reversing camera.
The Rukus Halo special edition will be produced until the end of March, with just 220 set to reach our shores.
The bright electric blue paint is a standout colour in the Rukus range, which, despite its youthful target market, is available mostly in darker metallic colours.
A Toyota Australia spokesman said there was demand for new colours in all models in the Toyota line-up, and the Voodoo Blue Halo limited edition was an opportunity to appeal to different tastes.
“There are no firm plans to introduce new colours to the range, but it is just one of the things under investigation.”
He said Toyota Australia made numerous requests to Japan and sends recommendations based on customer preferences, but said the local arm was largely “at the mercy of Japan” on matters like paint colours.
Toyota launched the Rukus range in May 2010 and sold 1089 units for the year.
In the first two months of 2011, exactly 200 Rukuses were delivered, which on average was down compared with last year’s monthly figures. Officially competing in the same small car segment as the Corolla and the Prius, the Rukus currently has a 0.5 percent share of the category.
The Toyota Australia spokesman said the local brand was “hopeful” the limited edition would spur on Rukus sales.
“Rukus has always been a niche vehicle … We’ll see how it goes.”
The 2011 Toyota Rukus Limited Edition is available now for a Manufacturer’s List Price of $27,990 – $500 more than the standard Build 1.
Read CarAdvice’s full drive review of the Toyota Rukus.
