TRD Hilux 4000SL vs. LS3 HSV Maloo R8 Review
June 20, 2008 by Matt Brogan
2008 TRD Hilux 4000SL vs. LS3 HSV Maloo R8 Review & Road Test
Models tested:
- 2008 TRD Hilux 4000SL 4.0 litre Supercharged V6 petrol auto – $64,990 (RRP)
- 2008 HSV Maloo R8 6.2 litre LS3 V8 petrol six speed manual – $61,550 (RRP)
- Review by Matt Brogan & Paul Maric. Photographs by Matt Brogan.
When we decided to run two of Australia’s favourite sport utes head-to-head this week, it was bound to cause some heated discussion around the CarAdvice office. Despite the pair of pick-ups having a slightly different application, they are still essentially the same high powered, tail happy tradie trucks that offer something just a bit above the boring old workhorse – real horsepower.
Now before we begin, remove purpose from this argument, because we well know these utes are essentially a sports car with a tray and that outright performance rates far more highly on the consideration list than payload or practicality in this instance. It’s this debate that in certain circles can start a bit of a ruckus.
You see most blokes see these utes as toys, or show ponies if you will, and more often than not will give a bit of lip to the well cut metro male for driving a ute that’s all go and show with no room to stow. But as we found out when it comes to at least one of the pair this criticism is well deserved.
The HiLux is a thoroughbred among working circles and has been, undoubtedly for very good reason, the number one seller in its class for sometime now. Consequently it would stand to reason that enhancing this tried and true formula even further should only improve the already accomplished package significantly – enter TRD.
Toyota Racing Development is the modern day moniker given to a collective of motorsport pedigree stretching back, in Australia at least, over fifty years. In 1957 a Toyopet Crown finished 47th in the grueling Australia Mobilgas Rally and years later, perhaps most notably for us, Corolla won their category two years running at Bathurst (1968-69). Since those humble beginnings Toyota’s motor racing success both at home and abroad has been a varied and triumphant juggernaut.
This heritage has now filtered down in to road going vehicles with HiLux and Aurion both receiving some special treatment, and for but a few simple modifications, TRD have made the current series HiLux not only more powerful, but more desirable and better looking as well.
Reader, one blogger regularly changes name here. “Another Reader” is actually the bloke you’re discussing, who writes the lengthy Toyota bursts.
Thanks Golfschwein
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