Toyota attached a 760-kilogram trailer to an electric Hilux.
In short:
Toyota testing whether the electric Hilux lives up to its gasoline-powered predecessor’s reputation
The brand was inspired by 2003 “Top Gear” episodes
A 760 kg camping trailer was dropped from a height of over 9 meters onto the roof of the new pickup
The electrical system survived, and the car started up after the incident and was able to drive away
Toyota inspired by “Top Gear”
The Toyota Hilux has built a reputation over the years as a vehicle that is exceptionally difficult to stop. The 2003 “Top Gear” episodes, which subjected an old Toyota to increasingly absurd and extreme tests, played a major role in this. The car was submerged, crashed into, set on fire, and left on top of a building slated for demolition, yet it still managed to start up after each repair.
More than two decades later, Toyota decided to return to a similar idea, though this time the subject of the experiment was the new Hilux BEV. This is a significant test for the brand in terms of reputation as well, since the electric version must convince customers that changing the powertrain does not mean losing the features that make this model famous.
Internet users chose a trailer instead of a ball
Toyota UK first left the decision to internet users. A vote was held on Reddit, where people could choose between two options. The first involved hitting the car with a tonnage demolition ball, while the second involved dropping a camper trailer from a great height onto it.
The trailer won. A structure weighing 760 kg was used for the test. The crane lifted it about 30 feet, or 9.1 meters. A brand new Hilux BEV was placed underneath, and then the trailer was released.
It hit the roof of the pickup directly. The trailer itself broke apart due to the impact — its lightweight structure made of wood and fiberglass had little chance against the vehicle. Toyota recorded the entire event using slow-motion cameras, with one even installed inside the trailer.
The roof gave way, but the drive system didn’t
Naturally, the Hilux didn’t come out of the test unscathed. Its roof was severely distorted, the front windshield shattered, and there was a large dent on the cargo bed. The suspension was compressed heavily during the impact but returned to its normal position afterward.
The most important event happened a moment later. After the wreckage of the trailer was removed, the vehicle was started and drove away from the test site on its own.
According to Toyota, the battery installed in the ladder frame and the electric motors were not damaged. The body was damaged so severely that the vehicle would likely have been scrapped anyway, but the powertrain survived the direct impact.
This is also important because with electric vehicles, attention is paid not only to the structural durability but also to the safety of the large battery. In this case, there was no damage to the battery or issues with the drive system after the impact.
This Is Just a Warm-Up
Interestingly, Toyota says that getting rid of the trailer isn’t the end of this vehicle’s story.
The manufacturer gave a Hilux BEV to the “Top Gear” YouTube team, which will continue the series of tests. Toyota itself described removing the trailer as merely a “warm-up,” so the car is likely to face more aggressive experiments soon.
The test was conducted at Bentwaters Airport in Suffolk, UK. Toyota notes that all remains of the damaged trailer were later collected and sent for recycling. The manufacturer also warns against attempting similar experiments on your own.
Hilux Enters a New Era, But Diesel Remains
The new generation of Hilux isn’t limited to just one type of powertrain. Toyota offers the pickup in both a mild hybrid diesel version and a fully electric BEV model. A hydrogen-powered variant is also planned for 2028.
The electric Hilux must therefore prove not only that it can travel a certain distance on battery power. It also needs to maintain its reputation as a model capable of withstanding harsh conditions and rough handling.
Lowering a 760-kilogram trailer from a height of over 9 meters certainly has little to do with normal use. But this wasn’t about normal use either. Toyota wanted to reference Hilux’s legacy from over 20 years ago — and show that even after switching from diesel to electric engines, the vehicle can still take a really tough hit and keep moving.
Piotr Sobczyk
