Indestructible Hilux was a nickname given to the Toyota Hilux that was tested for its durability. Jeremy picked the late-MY fourth-gen Toyota Hilux as a part of the test. It aired in the fifth and sixth episodes of Series 3. James May took over in Episode 6.
Hilux destruction[]
Part I[]
When Clarkson purchased the Hilux from a farmyard, it had with 190 thousand miles (305 thousand kilometres) on the odometer and some corrosion on the body. During tests, the Hilux had to be repaired using only basic tools. The series of tests were:
- Descending down a flight of steps (suspension, tyres, and chassis damage).
- Sideswiping the corner of a building to the point of dislodging pieces of brick (body damage).
- Being submerged by the high tide of Bristol Channel (whole body damage). After several hours at high tide the Hilux was partially buried, so the workers had to winch it out. Astonishingly, the Hilux started after minor repairs with basic tools.
- Dropping the Hilux from a crane
- Arranging a head-on collision through a wooden structure
- Repeated impacts from a wrecking ball (body crushed as well as the bonnet, tailgate, bed, and other areas)
- Dropping a caravan onto it
- Burning first the bed, then later the cabin interior.
The episode ended with a cliffhanger.
Part II-III[]
As all attempts to permanently disable the Hilux had failed, Clarkson decided to place it on the roof of a 23-storey building scheduled for demolition. The Part II clip was cut short followed by Part III as James wanted to prove to the studio audience that it had been destroyed. Part III picked up following the demolition of the skyscraper. The workers had to clear off the debris to recover the truck. The Hilux had suffered major body damage (suspension including leaf sprung, wheels/tyres, chassis, etc.). Following another repair session using only basic tools, it was surprisingly able to start yet again.
Clarkson surprised the audience with the reveal that the Hilux had proven indestructible, having it driven into the studio to applause from the audience. Before the end of the episode James suggested displaying the Hilux as a studio decoration, to which Clarkson and the audience agreed.
Later appearances[]
Following the end of the episode, the "Indestructible Hilux" can be seen in a montage when Clarkson acquired a fifth-gen blue Hilux for the purpose of modifying it to hover on water. However, after 2 miles on a lake, it capsized. In the process of constructing the Toybota, Jeremy attempted to start up the "Indestructible Hilux" again. It failed to start and Richard noted that the electrics had totally failed.
Later in Series 12, Episode 6, during the communist cars segment, James mentioned that they did a durability test on the Hilux and planned to do the same for the FSO Polonez, Unlike the Hilux, the Polonez was destroyed after being dropped by a crane from a large height.
Trivia[]
- Footage of the Hilux's destruction was used in a commercial for the Toyota Tacoma, a pickup truck sold in North America.
- It sat proudly on display at World of Top Gear, National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.
- As of 2025, it is now preserved at the Grampian Transport Museum after the exhibit at Beaulieu was closed.[1]
Gallery[]
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