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Wild new Hilux Evo revaled at Kyalami

Great news for South African Dakar fans is that Toyota Gazoo Racing today unveiled its revolutionary new Toyota Hilux Evo Dakar challenger at Kyalami.

The team also confirmed that multiple Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah and navigator Matthieu Baumel will join South African Giniel de Villiers and Germany's Dirk von Zitzewitz and SA pair Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie in a trio of the new Evos on the Dakar in January.

The new two-wheel-drive Hilux Evo is lighter, faster and better balanced than 2016 Toyota Hilux that Giniel de Villiers drove to second in the epic race. The new car features all major components including its engine and transmission shifted within the vehicle's wheelbase to bring weight distribution advantages. 

Hilux Evo however retains the outgoing Dakar Hilux's normally-aspirated Atkinson Cycle V8 engine now with the benefit of a larger 38 mm restrictor - the same diameter as its Mini and Peugeot rivals for the first time. Toyota's rivals had previously benefited more freedom on their restrictors.

The new 'bakkie’ follows the trends set by Peugeot's dominant 2016 Dakar winner - the Toyota's shift to a rear-driven format allows it to use larger pressure-variable wheels and tyres, far greater suspension travel and other advances over the limited previous 4x4 bakkies within Dakar regulations. 

Hilux Evo will now undergo rigorous testing and refinement, before being shipped to South America for the Dakar at the end of the year.

ENDS

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