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Toyota’s indestructible Hilux gets a third axle for serious off-road fury

Ronan Glon
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Mercedes-Benz’s outlandish six-wheeled G63 AMG was the definition of a niche model when it was introduced in early 2013, but it unexpectedly ended up spawning a whole new market segment. British tuner Kahn Design showed a six-wheeled Defender called Flying Huntsman a couple of months ago, and a Bulgarian firm named Vromos has just added a third axle to the rugged eighth-generation Toyota Hilux.

Starting with a Hilux crew cab, Vromos designed and built a longer frame, added an extra set of leaf springs, fitted two additional shock absorbers, and, of course, installed an extra axle. The modifications required the use of a longer cargo bed and fender flares, and the truck’s off-road capacity has been increased exponentially by all-terrain tires, a snorkel, and a generous lift kit.

Hi Lux 6X6

Vromos asked another Bulgarian firm named Overdrive to mask the cabin’s utilitarian roots. As a result, the custom truck gains power-adjustable seats borrowed from the Land Cruiser, a more ergonomic steering wheel, and a combination of leather and Alcantara upholstery on the seats, the door panels, and the dashboard. It’s not the first six-wheeled Hilux ever built, but it’s certainly the most luxurious one.

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Although technical details haven’t been published, the fact that the truck is fitted with an automatic transmission tells us that power is most likely provided by a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine that generates 171 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 265 pound-feet of torque from 1,400 to 3,200 rpm. The Hilux is also offered with a smaller 2.5-liter engine, but in most European countries the automatic transmission can only be paired with the 3.0-liter oil burner.

Vromos hasn’t revealed what the future holds for its six-wheeled Hilux. It could be simply a prototype, or it could preview an exclusive limited-edition model. If it’s approved for production, the truck is highly unlikely to be sold in the United States, where the regular Hilux isn’t offered.

6X6 SUS TEST

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Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon
Contributor
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
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