ON FRONT PAG E N O R T H E AST V I C TO R I A , A L P S A N D H I G H CO U N T RY
APRIL 7 - 13
| 2017
> available online - www.nemedia.com.au
BIG BOYS TOYS: The spectacular Toyota / Tonka HiLux concept vehicle.
Toyota HiLux success with a Tonka truck WE’RE all familiar by now with the ‘Mad Monday’ phenomenon where boofy blokes dress up in outrageous costumes and make pests of themselves to celebrate their sporting victories. Having just taken out the motoring equivalent of a grand final win with its HiLux ute – outselling all its rivals in the 2016 sales race – Toyota has decided to celebrate in ‘Mad Monday’ style by teaming up with toy truck maker Tonka to build an outrageously
styled concept ute. Both Tonka and Toyota are household QDPHV DQG FHOHEUDWH VLJQL² FDQW anniversaries in 2017, Tonka its 70th anniversary and Toyota its 80th year of incorporation. Toyota should get a free-kick out of the federal government’s recent decision to upgrade the Snowy Mountains hydroelectric scheme given that LandCruiser
made its Australian debut in the early years of the original scheme. The brainchild of Toyota Australia’s 150-strong product planning and development division, the HiLux Tonka Concept was built on the range-topping HiLux SR5 double cab with its 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. It was then given an extra 150 mm of ground clearance; high-riding axle; heavy-duty suspension and 35-inch diameter tyres. 7KH ERQQHW KDV D FDUERQ ² EUH VNLQ
topped by a large power bulge and air scoops. For underbody protection there’s a rugged bash plate made from 6mm-thick alloy while tubular side rails protect the body and chassis. While the footy blokes go on a pub crawl, Toyota, with leading rally driver Rick Bates behind the wheel, took us on a mud and rock crawl at the custom-built indoor course at Sydney’s Australian Technology Park.
Continued page 2 n21d11337-v93/1417
ALL BONUS CARS INSTOCK - BE QUICK!
By ALISTAIR KENNEDY
MUST END
SOON!!!
LIMITED NUMBERS LIMITED TIME BIG VALUE
Kylie Stevenson 0428 215 677 DĂƌŬ WƌĞŶƟĐĞ Ϭϰϯϳ Ϯϳϲ ϰϭϮ EŽĞů 'ŝůďĞƌƚ Ϭϰϯϴ ϱϵϳ ϮϬϬ DŝĐŚĂĞů ,ĞŶĚĞƌƐŽŶ Ϭϰϭϴ ϱϭϮ ϱϯϭ
(03) 5721 5677 10 Templeton Street, Wangaratta www.onemilemotors.com.au LMCT1060