We had left the tiny outpost of Rawlinna in the mid-afternoon a little later than expected as one of the vehicles had developed alternator trouble.

While Rob had stripped said alternator in an effort to fix it, it was to no avail, so while he headed to Kalgoorlie to get a new one, we struck to the north, and would meet up with him at Warburton in a few days’ time.

Rawlinna has been a major railway siding from the time the Trans Australian Railway was established in 1917 to the demise of the steam engines in 1951 that had once necessitated a major engine support facility in the town.

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With diesel-electric trains now hauling people and freight across the continent, the railway siding has seen less and less maintenance workers, but it is not completely abandoned with occasional telephone people and railway maintenance crews still making use of its facilities.

Today the weekly Indian-Pacific train stops here for a barbecue so passengers can get a ‘real’ taste of the remoteness. And the hamlet gets a huge influx of people during the annual Nullarbor Muster, usually held during April; the 41st running of the event is scheduled for 2024 (www.nullarbormuster.org).

Rawlinna Station, the biggest sheep property in Australia (and the world) at over 10,000 sq km (2.5 million acres), runs between 60,000 and 80,000 sheep, and has its main homestead about 11km south-west of the railway siding.

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It was, rather surprisingly in the pastoral history of Australia, only established in 1962. That was about the same time as the first tentative steps were made to push a track, later to become the Connie Sue Highway, south from Warburton to the railway line.

Just getting to Rawlinna is an adventure in itself. The easiest way is from Kalgoorlie where a good graded road, paralleling the railway line, runs 380km to Rawlinna. A rough track from the east also follows the railway line, while another limestone studded route heads north from Cocklebiddy on the Eyre Highway.

No matter which way you come though, you’ll pass along some of the 370km long dingo-proof fence that skirts the Rawlinna sheep property, recently sold to ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s Fortescue Metals Group for supposedly future green energy and carbon-reduction projects; not sure if the fence will be of any benefit for that though!

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We had joined the Connie Sue Highway (CSH) on the eastern side of Rawlinna siding, where a rough sign indicated we were at the right place and heading in the right direction. The last time I had been here was over 30 years ago and the track wasn’t much different, or at least the start of it didn’t seem any different to what it was back then.

As previously indicated, the road that became the CSH had first been established when Len Beadell and his famed Gunbarrel Road Construction Party (GRCP) started pushing a track north from the Anne Beadell Highway to Warburton in August 1962.

In October of that year the party returned to what Len called Neale Junction and pushed a track south to the railway line, all his tracks being part of the A-bomb and ICBM tests that Britain was conducting in the 1950 and 60s. Today those tracks, nearly 6000km of them, make up one of the great 4×4 desert adventures in the country.

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For the first 50km or so we crossed near treeless limestone plains on what was the edge of the vast Nullarbor Plain, but as we slowly pushed on, more trees and scrub began to appear.

Station tracks crossed the Connie Sue at numerous spots but the ‘highway’, while still not much more than a dozer blade swipe across the ground, was distinctive enough that there was no danger of taking the wrong turn. After an easy run, considering the late start, we pulled up for the night’s camp about 90km north of Rawlinna.

After we got away the next morning, the track condition remained reasonable and arrow straight, heading almost true north. About 15km from our camp, and 105km from Rawlinna, an Aboriginal Business Road (no access) joins the CSH and immediately the road condition improves, becoming wider and more recently graded. A shelter shed and water tank nearby make for a popular campsite but having just started out for the day we pushed on, just stopping to see if the tank had water, which it did.

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Nearly 70km north from where the business road joins the CSH, it spears off to the north east and the small remote Aboriginal community of Tjuntjuntjarra. Here again, at this second major junction, there is another shelter and water tank.

The country and vegetation changed quite a bit as we cruised north on the CSH – first across bluebush plains with some large stands of trees here and there, into mulga scrub, and then mallee scrub, with a thick covering of spinifex and hardly any bluebush anywhere.

We were soon passing through more treed areas with native pine and white gums along with small stands of desert poplars – the latter having been given a hard time by the feral camels. Then we crossed the first of a few widely spaced red dunes, making us feel like we were really in desert country at last.

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We continued on the CSH which was, at that moment, a well-formed double-track through the scrub in a near straight line, with the road surface as smooth as you could want. Only occasionally were there any corrugations or a few low rocky limestone outcrops to mar the smooth running, and we made good time cruising at around 75km/h.

As we crossed the southern boundary of the Neale Junction Nature Reserve, we were deep within the 349,000sq km Great Victoria Desert, the largest desert in Australia. Much of this desert country is open woodland with spinifex understory, but the stately marble gum is one endemic species while black oak trees are more widespread but equally spectacular.

The desert supports more than 100 species of reptiles and more than 200 bird species, along with 20 or so different mammals, but apart from the birds, the most common animals you’ll see are the bloody camels and the occasional wily dingo.

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Ernest Giles had crossed through this vast desert near here in September 1875 and he and his party were in a dire situation before they discovered life-giving water at what Giles called Queen Victoria Springs, some 220km further west. David Lindsay, in charge of the Elder Scientific Expedition of 1891-92, crossed a little further to the north, while inveterate explorer Frank Hann explored much of this area during the early 1900s.

That evening, after travelling a lot easier and a lot quicker than those early explorers, we stopped at Neale Junction where the Anne Beadell Highway (another of Len Beadell’s roads) crosses the CSH. Here you’ll find a small campground complete with shelter shed, water tank and a few fireplaces, making it a good spot to stop.

The next morning we pushed on, our route winding through dunes before exiting the nature reserve and then heading over vast slightly undulating sand plains, much of them thickly speckled by ironstone pebbles. With less maintenance, the track was decidedly more demanding and included washouts and long stretches of teeth-chattering corrugations, while thick patches of mulga slowed our group to a crawl.

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We turned off the main track and wound our way through thick vegetation which got even thicker as white gums heralded a section of flood-out country, the ground covered in a mat of thick grass. Suddenly we broke out of the foliage and had an escarpment of red rock beside us as we made our way across a bluebush dotted plain to a small camping spot tucked in amongst the low carmine-coloured bluffs of Point Lillian.

Frank Hann was the first European to reach this spot in June 1903 and on subsequent trips he visited here a total of eight times, the last in September 1908 when he was attacked by a small party of Aboriginal men and was lucky to escape with his life.

The following morning we found our way to the top of the plateau to the east of our camp and then wandered south where a sharp-edged east-west running gorge halted our progress. Finding our way down into the canyon via a smaller less-steep chasm we scrambled over rocks and around and through the branches of pine trees and mulga to eventually find a large cave, its walls adorned with ancient Aboriginal painted rock art.

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The cave floor showed signs of long-ago human habitation, but the only recent signs were of wallabies and kangaroos. We didn’t find any water in the gullies but if any did flow through, it would stay here longer than elsewhere given the protection from the sun and wind offered by the rock walls and thick scrub.

Pleased with our exertions and explorations we headed back to camp and had a brew before heading out to the main track and continuing north on the CSH. We passed the track to Point Sandercock, another bluff named by Hann, and continued along the CSH running north-east for 15km before tracking north-west for a short distance around the almost imperceptible undulations of the Cooper Hills.

These rocky hills give rise to the ephemeral Cooper Creek which crosses the CSH about 5km further north, where a short side track leads to the Cooper Hills Bore. We stopped to check out this solar-powered bore and after a bit of fiddling with the wiring got the pump working, and we were rewarded with a flow of beautiful water.

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Back on the Connie we soon passed the turn-off to Sykes Bluff and then Ryans Bluff before taking the track out to Woods Pass and Woods Gnamma Hole, all spots named by Hann in his exploration in 1903. While stopped at Woods Pass for a bite to eat, we found one of the campers had a broken camber adjustment bolt on the trailing arm, so we spent a bit of time replacing that.

Turning onto the CSH we soon passed Hanns Tabletop Hill, named in honour of the wide wandering explorer by geologist H. Talbot in 1916. Further north a track leads out to Sydney Yeo Chasm and then a short distance later to Waterfall Gorge but sadly both of these places have been declared out-of-bounds by the Traditional Owners as they are of great importance to the local Aboriginal people. We pushed on, pulling up to camp just off the Connie and on the edge of Mackenzie Gorge, which was an enjoyable spot to watch the sun set far to the west.

Track conditions the following morning alternated between easy going and corrugated, then 50km from camp we veered right at a junction and the route became easier as we left the dunes and ironstone hills behind. The country improved too, with introduced buffel grass replacing the spinifex, and an indication that this area was once cattle grazing country, while white-barked snappy gums dotted the line of the briefly flowing Elder Creek just off to our east.

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Suddenly we came onto the wide graded Great Central Road and turned east for the 4km or so of smooth road to the large Aboriginal community of Warburton.

Our journey along the Connie Sue Highway was nearly over but with a few things needing repair or replacement we took the opportunity for a shower and to wash clothes at the well-established roadhouse and caravan park.

It had certainly been a memorable trip.

Top five things to see and do

1. Go to Rawlinna’s Nullarbor Muster.
2. Camp at Neale Junction.
3. Check out Point Lillian Aboriginal art.
4. Visit MacKenzie Gorge.
5. Don’t miss Woods Pass and Woods Gnamma Hole.

Travel planner

Ngaanyatjarra Council: WA

To obtain a permit to traverse the Connie Sue Highway you can apply online or email: [email protected]

It’s a 635km drive from Rawlinna to Warburton. There is no fuel at Rawlinna nor any services. Rawlinna is 145km north of Cocklebiddy on the Eyre Highway (the closest fuel).

• Warburton Roadhouse: (08) 8956 7656.
• Western Desert Mechanical, Warburton: Basic repairs and recovery.
• Outback Recovery, Laverton: 0428 196 306
• Best maps are Hema’s Great Desert Tracks guide or Westprint’s The Beadell Roads.

The first automatic LandCruiser 70 Series will cost from $75,600 as pricing for the legendary ute and wagon range increases by as much as $8800 in V8 form.

The big news, as previously reported, is the addition of a 2.8-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder from the current Prado, HiLux and Fortuner and new Aisin six-speed auto.

This ‘1GD’ engine-auto combination becomes the standard powertrain, with a $4100 premium applied to the carryover ‘1VD’ 4.5-litre V8 turbo diesel and five-speed manual.

V8-powered LC70 models have increased by between $8300 and $8800, with the most affordable variant – the $83,900 GXL wagon – starting just above the most expensive four-cylinder diesel model.

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The ‘1GD’ turbo diesel four-cylinder produces 150kW at 3400rpm and 500Nm between 1600 and 2800rpm. That gives it near identical power yet superior torque to the V8, which produces 151kW (at the same 3400rpm) and 430Nm (albeit from an even lazier 1200rpm, up to 3200rpm).

Toyota has applied the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder to all three grades (Workmate, GX, and GXL) and four body styles – single and dual cab, wagon, and troop carrier. Only the Workmate wagon misses out on the V8.

The company expects the smaller engine and automatic gearbox to broaden the 4×4 vehicle’s appeal to business operators including mining companies, as well as people looking to tow.

The auto comes with a Power/Haul mode that Toyota says maximises the 70 Series’ 3500kg braked towing capacity.

The sole option for all models is premium paint that carries a $675 cost.

Front and rear differential locks are available on single-cab GX and dual-cab Workmate models for $1500.

“The LandCruiser 70 Series has built up a loyal and passionate fanbase with customers drawn to its rugged styling and legendary off-road performance and this substantially upgraded model builds upon those strengths,” said Toyota Australia president sales, marketing and franchise operations, Sean Hanley.

“Now with a new powertrain including an automatic transmission for the first time, along with the significant increase in safety and convenience technology, the LC70 is an ideal vehicle for those working on the land or as a tool of trade and recreational users heading off on an outback adventure,” Mr Hanley added.

The updated LC70 range is on sale from November. Orders for the V8 LC70 model are currently paused “due to supply and demand factors” and Toyota has yet to confirm when they will recommence.

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• 2024 TOYOTA PRADO REVEALED
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The side panels are effectively unchanged, but the front clip has been significantly updated with retro nods to the 40 Series LandCruiser in the circular LED headlights and broad mesh grille.

There are new bumpers at the front, with black wheel-arch extensions stuck on and a more prominent bonnet – the old-school snorkel continues.

Inside, the dash architecture is also very familiar – including the awkward cup holder that was added with the 70 Series’ last update. The plastics appear unchanged, although the new head unit has a 6.7-inch touchscreen that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via a cable.

The old-school circular dials have been replaced by a new interpretation with a 4.2-inch multi-information display for information such as fuel consumption.

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Safety and chassis

Underneath, the 70 Series ladder-frame chassis remains identical, though it does roll on new alloy wheel designs.

Safety features such as lane-departure alert, traffic sign recognition and automatic high-beam assist.

The latest additions join an autonomous emergency braking assist that was announced in November last year and operates between 10-160km/h. Blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert features are still absent, though a reversing camera is standard.

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A good quality drawer system will keep all gear and tools organised, making it easier to find what you need, when you need it.

Here are four products we recommend for the HiLux. They’re intended as a starting point, to give you an idea of what’s available.

• What it is: A system of drawers mounted in the cargo tray.
• Why you need it: These systems allow for easy storage and retrieval of whatever equipment you’re looking to carry, from tools to recreational items like fishing gear, without the need to climb in and out of the tray.
• Buying tips: Consider your load requirements, both type and weight, together with your fridge size and any gear you might want to carry on top of the drawers. Really deep drawers will hold more but they will cut into your storage above the drawers. If you’re carrying bulky swags or a tall fridge, lower profile drawers might be better suited.

JUMP AHEAD

• ARB modular drawers
• MSA 4×4 drawers
• Drifta drawers
• Ironman 4×4 drawers

ARB modular drawers

For those who want choice, the ARB modular system offers that in spades. With more than 200 potential configurations, you can set up a storage system that best suits your needs. With options such as a stainless-steel slide-out table and various fridges slides, these drawers can be made to be amazingly functional.

Specifications

• Materials: Marine ply, galvanised steel
• Covering: Marine carpet
• Slides: Roller bearings
• Maximum load: Up to 150kg per drawer

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MSA 4×4 drawers

Another premium option, these MSA drawers include a patented “Stay-Open Block”, which allows the drawer to remain in an open position even on a 30-degree slope. They also feature an LED light strip that activates at full extension and has a manual override switch. Weighing in at 114kg, they are on the heavy side, but that comes with build quality.

Specifications

• Materials: Marine ply, galvanised steel
• Covering: Marine carpet
• Slides: Roller bearings
• Maximum load: Not stated

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Drifta drawers

Custom-made to suit any vehicle and almost any storage requirements, the Drifta drawers are ideal for those with unique storage needs. With options for wing storage, water tanks and kitchen tables, these drawers can provide features that off-the-shelf options can’t match. The Teflon slides mean the weight of the drawer is on the base, rather than on the runners bolted on the sides.

Specifications

• Materials: Marine ply
• Covering: Marine carpet
• Slides: Teflon slides
• Maximum load: Not stated

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Ironman 4×4 drawers

Simple and budget-friendly, these drawers from Ironman 4×4 provide a basic and cost-effective storage solution for the rear of your HiLux. An off-the-shelf generic design that will fit most dual-cab utes, these drawers are no-fuss, no-bells and just work.

Specifications

• Materials: Galvanised steel
• Covering: Marine carpet
• Slides: Roller bearings
• Maximum load: Up to 100kg per drawer

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How we review products

4X4 Australia has been reviewing four-wheel drive vehicles and aftermarket products for more than 40 years.

When looking for the best accessories for your make and model of 4WD, there are some things essential to making sure you have the best off-roading experience.

When we compare products, here are some of the things we consider:

• Warranty
• Build quality
• Value for money
• Time and ease to set-up/install
• Weight
• Fit and finish
• How well it gets the job done
• What materials they’re made from
• Corrosion/UV resistance
• Coatings
• Compatibility with other accessories
• Compliance with ADRs and vehicle safety systems
• Country of manufacture
• Load ratings, to determine what’s the best product across each price point.

We also consider user reviews and our own experience with these products to make sure our recommendations are for the best on the market.

Disclosure: When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We also include products that we do not earn a commission from.

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Ahead of the 2023 Japan Mobility Show (previously the Tokyo Motor Show), Mitsubishi has released a teaser image of a concept that will be on display.

Described as an “electrified crossover MPV”, it’s likely what we’re seeing here is the next-generation ‘D:6’ Delica that may very well make its way to Australia.

The CGI image shows a tall one-box vehicle sliding through sand with narrow LED taillights and a roof box. Mitsubishi says the vehicle is based on “the concept of Borderless Adventure” with a spacious and open cabin design.

Like the current Delica D:5 (that launched in 2007), the concept car is four-wheel drive with generous ground clearance and provisions for chunky all-terrain tyres.

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Mitsubishi describes the ‘Delica’s’ all-wheel drive system as an electric one. Presumably, this would be borrowed from the capable plug-in hybrid Outlander medium SUV. There are also various drivetrain modes mentioned, something already found on Outlander plug-in hybrids.

We know the concept that Mitsubishi will show isn’t a pure EV, as the brand promises there are “no limits to the destinations it can reach”.

Mitsubishi’s also spruiking a comfortable and insulated driving experience on all surfaces, suggesting it won’t ride on a ladder-frame chassis. It’s possible a new Delica would adopt the same CMF-C/D platform found under the Outlander SUV, and use that car’s powertrains.

The Mitsubishi off-road concept will be on display at the Japan Mobility Show from October 25.

Delica’s return to Australia?

The Delica is a Japan-only proposition in its current form after local sales ceased in 1999, though there’s clearly a local appetite for the rugged people-mover as grey imports are prevalent.

Mitsubishi Australia has a current D:5 Delica in Adelaide as an exercise to “explore as a concept, whether it would be of interest in the context of the Australian market”, according to Mitsubishi Oz boss of marketing and product strategy Oliver Mann.

The brand has no intentions of bringing the current vehicle to Australia owing to safety rating concerns. The next-gen though? With the Australian public’s renewed interest in local tourism, it could be a hit…

The Mitsubishi Australia team will be keeping a close eye on Delica developments, with 2025 being the year things may begin to happen.

In August this year, mysterious grainy pictures from an after-dark dock in Western Australia revealed an electric Toyota Hilux arriving on Australian soil.

Soon after, it was confirmed to be the same Hilux Revo BEV concept created by Toyota Thailand to mark 60 years of the big T.

Now though, the intriguing zero-emissions ute is doing the rounds in Australia for ‘internal review’ purposes, says its steward Toyota Australia.

However, the local team has pored over the vehicle and now it’s been handed over for a little external review, with a precious few laps of the private test track at the Melbourne headquarters in the hands of the media. That’s us.

If you’ve ever spent any time in or around concept vehicles, you’ll know that for every cool design signature and vivid paint colour, there’s a trim being held on with chewing gum or a panel gap like the Corinth Canal.

Not the Revo BEV though.

On first inspection its pearl white paint is well finished, the LED headlights with cool blue inserts are still in one piece, and the ventless grille appears to be a production part.

It’s the same story with the ‘oily’ bits too. Photography of the rear axle and underside of the chassis was not allowed, but we can say that what we saw during a dive under the BEV was a single drive motor integrated into the De Dion rear axle, rear leaf springs and a battery pack carefully fashioned to fit within the legs of an apparently standard ladder chassis. It all looked exceptionally well-engineered and typically Toyota.

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The HiLux Revo BEV’s maker isn’t specifying a lot of hard facts and figures, including battery size, but with a reported range of ‘about 200km’ we’d estimate the unit to be about the 55kWh mark.

What was completely off-limits was what lies under the bonnet, presumably to protect a serious amount of IP and where we suspect the power management electronics and inverter are hiding.

It’s not known if Toyota collaborated with any other brands on the development of the Revo BEV, but a glimpse under the hood might reveal if any of Subaru’s hardware is involved, which would continue the collaboration forged with the Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Solterra project.

The Hilux’s gear selector serves as a clue – it’s the same rotary controller used in the pair of fraternal-twin electric SUV models.

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Driving the ‘concept’ is an interestingly paradoxical experience.

In one way, the Revo feels exactly like a HiLux with utilitarian interior, commercial driving position, durable (if a little dull) interior materials, and generally familiar feel.

However, press the accelerator and this particular version sneaks away from stationary in eerie silence. Acceleration is not incendiary but the typical linear thrust of electric drive makes it feel faster than it probably claims zero-to-100km/h dashing – another figure not yet publicised.

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It feels exactly like a regular HiLux, but press the accelerator and this particular version sneaks away from stationary in eerie silence

There’s a little electric whine in report of full acceleration and the throttle calibration has been fine tuned – again, this does not feel like some show pony hastily bolted together for the sake of a marketing or photo opportunity.

What leaves even more of an impression is the handling. No Hilux turns-in with as much eagerness as this engineering study and the weight distribution appears to be midship if not a little rearward.

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There’s still some classic HiLux roll as the speed increases in corners, and gip is good despite tyres that appear to have endured some torture and have definitely seen better days, but the drive experience isn’t without reward.

Only a handful of test-track surface imperfections hint at a very similar ride quality to regular HiLux variants and, the steering is also decidedly familiar.

The Revo BEV feels exactly like a HiLux but simultaneously, nothing like a HiLux.

Other intriguing interior clues include a steering column cowl which, unlike virtually every other part, appears to be very much prototyped and 3D printed with a charge or proximity RFID symbol embossed on the top side. Hmmm…

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And then there’s the central digital information display nestled between analogue dials – nothing new to a HiLux you’d say – except for one of its screens, which indicates the proportion of available electrical power that’s being used as the accelerator is pressed.

There’s also a ‘charge’ portion which indicates the amount of regenerative braking that’s being performed on overrun too. This wouldn’t be quite so revealing if the concept wasn’t capable of re-gen braking, rendering the lower portion of the digital dial superfluous … for now.

To our minds this is a clear sign a version of the HiLux Revo BEV will follow that does offer the completed drivetrain, including regenerative braking and perhaps a longer range as a result.

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Well, one already has been all but confirmed. In the concept’s native Thailand, a small fleet of ‘production’ Revo BEV versions will roll out in a taxi trial.

We’re not talking limo transport here, but rather the almost inconceivable public transport option offered in Thailand where the tray of a ute is converted into a pair of longitudinal bench seats to accommodate up to 12, plus another couple of passengers riding freestyle on the rear step.

Toyota is yet to speak of a production electric HiLux for Australia, but don’t for a second expect something like this.

So what could the concept spawn?

And would a production version similar to the one we drove be the perfect electric ute for Australia?

Perhaps not. Firstly, it’s a single-cab to maximise the tray space whereas the dual-cab reigns supreme Down Under.

Secondly, it’s rear-wheel-drive and Aussies are obsessed with all-wheelers when it comes to the work horse.

And, finally, its relatively modest circa-200km range would be slashed if a trailer was hooked up – another of the nation’s favourite automotive habits.

But while the concept wouldn’t make much sense in the outback and bush trails of Australia’s country, there is one place it does make more sense.

Earlier this year, Toyota signed an MoU with mining giant BHP for “lowering vehicle operation emissions” and specifically “safety in light vehicle design”. You’d be hard pressed to find a better vehicle to achieve that than a production model based on the concept seen here.

And if Toyota is gearing up to introduce its first battery powered HiLux to Thailand, Australia and the rest of the world in single-cab, rear-drive variety, you can expect more versions to follow…

The November 2023 issue of 4X4 Australia magazine is out now.

Voting is now open for the 2023 Maxxis Custom 4×4 of the Year, and in this issue we’ve dedicated more than 20 pages to discuss all 12 contenders vying for the title.

Just by voting for the 2023 Custom 4×4 of the Year, you’ll go into the draw to win our epic voter prize – a MAXXIS voucher valued at $1000, an MSA 4×4 Accessories voucher valued at $500, and a MAXTRAX voucher valued at $500. Get voting!

On the new car front, Toyota has released its new halo HiLux model, the GR Sport. Benefitting from retuned coil-sprung suspension with KYB dampers, as well as an engine tickle to eke out an extra 15kW and 50Nm from the 2.8-litre engine, is the GR Sport the best HiLux in the line-up? We drive it to find out.

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Another extremely popular vehicle – especially in the USA – is Ford’s F-truck, and Ford Australia has now landed the F-150 on local soil, following its LHD-to-RHD conversion at RMA’s purpose-built Melbourne facility. Matt Raudonikis spent some time in the XLT SWB variant at the vehicle’s Australian launch, to find out whether it has the chops to steal the mantle from RAM’s 1500 as Australia’s best-selling full-size pick-up.

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There have been big changes with our ‘Triton Tradie’ project, with the build receiving the complete TC Boxes treatment. Renowned for its specialised trays and toolboxes, the new TC Boxes set-up has completely transformed our vehicle. Watch the video here.

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Speaking of state-of-the-art equipment, we also take a deep dive into the nitty gritty of an epic D-MAX custom. The Crew Cab on steroids is the showcase vehicle for 4D Engineering, a business which builds trick custom canopies like the one you see here.

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With years of four-wheeling experience on all sorts of terrain, Chris Collard has experienced more than a couple of flat tyres over the years. In this issue he explains how to fix a flat when in the field, covering everything from a simple puncture to major rubber repair.

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We also point our tyres toward some essential off-road destinations this month, touring the beautiful Blackbraes National Park in Queensland and Victoria’s unforgettable High Country.

What else is there?

• Readers’ Rigs
• The latest 4×4 products
• News and up-to-date 4×4 prices

The November 2023 issue of 4X4 Australia is out now.

In the bustling world of dedicated tradies and 4×4 enthusiasts, there’s one essential truth: a reliable workhorse needs the right gear to match its rugged spirit.

That’s why, as we embark on the thrilling journey of transforming our ‘off the rack’ Mitsubishi Triton into the ultimate tradie work ute, our first stop is the renowned tray and toolbox specialists at TC Boxes.

Its aluminium powdercoated toolboxes, dog boxes and gullwing canopies have become synonymous with craftsmanship and functionality.

While dropping the Triton off at the TC Boxes head office and installation centre in Marsden Park, we caught up with NSW manager, Josh Collisson, who provided insight into TC Boxes’ impressive trajectory over the last eight years, where the company was first set up in Pakenham, Victoria in 2016.

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“Initially, the focus was on toolboxes only. After a few years, it moved into the canopy space,” Josh said. “Then, several years back, we introduced the tray line, which opened up all the accessories and other items we focus on, such as wheel holders, jerry cans, roof racks, drawer units, and now we are even doing EnerDrive power systems internally, along with fridge slides, pull-out kitchens and even ovens.

“So we have a lot to offer our customers, compared to a few years ago. Which makes us a great choice for just about anyone.

“This facility in Marsden Park was an empty shell when we first moved in 2022, so it’s been great to see it now fully set up as our head office and Sydney installation centre,” he added. “With five hoists and plenty of stock and storage, the boys are very efficient at turning cars around with full set-ups in about a day and a half.

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“Our second NSW site is fully operational in Mayfield West up in Newcastle, and it’s great to be able to service the Newcastle area. With plenty of great feedback, our system works exceptionally well for both tradies and those working in and around the mining industry in those parts,” Josh said.

As much as we are focused on ticking all the day-to-day work requirements for a fully functional work ute, keeping a crossover lifestyle element was as important to us as the TC team.

These guys are meticulous with their attention to detail, from the design of the range through to the high-quality materials, which is why they stand behind their products with a 24-month, fully comprehensive warranty that undoubtedly makes TC boxes the trades choice.

The tray fit-out

The backbone of the TC Boxes fit-out is the aluminium 1650mm black tray, which is TC Boxes newly designed aluminium tray for all common-rail dual-cab utes. Colour choices include powder-coated UV-stabilised Black Scylla or Horizon White Scylla.

The tray is rugged and lightweight, manufactured from premium grade aluminium. The tray itself looks stylish, well-designed and well-thought-out, and the 8mm aluminium c-channel main frame and 40 x 40mm SHS sub frame is impressive with its durability and build quality.

Combined with six industrial-strength mounting feet which lock it all together to the chassis, it tells the story that TC Boxes mean business with its products.

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This tray is very secure, making it robust and solid for any tracks, trails or off-road bush bashing you have planned. So, regardless of whether you’re a tradie or tourer, you can trust the strength and integrity of this entire system.

The tray measures 1650mm (L) x 1775mm (W), which allows for the fitment of a 1400mm (L) x 800mm (W) trundle drawer to store an array of tools and recovery gear. With a load rating of up to 80kg, it frees up plenty of internal space.

The tray’s 4mm flared guards look awesome and allow up to 35-inch wheels for increased ground clearance.

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The tray sports genuine Maxilamp Series 3 LED tail-lights, which look epic and have top-of-the-range light output in a great design. You will struggle to find better-looking tail-lights than these, which sit in a recessed position on the frame for added protection. A 12-volt LED licence plate light is also securely mounted above your plates.

Another vital piece of equipment is the Integrated rear sensor bar and camera mounting brackets, which means all vehicle models from 2018 will take advantage of this addition.

Plus, durable 2.5mm flat-plate aluminium undertray toolboxes allow for the safe storing of tools and accessories. Perfectly sized to fit our Triton, they offer even more secure storage for tool-heavy trades like carpenters and plumbers.

Two toolboxes for maximum storage

When it came to the toolboxes and storage for the ‘Tradie Triton’, we wanted ample room as well as plenty of drawers, shelves and compartments to safely house specific tools and equipment. The TC Boxes range delivered on these requirements.

The tray’s passenger side was the perfect home for the 1450mm TC Boxes full door with drawers, again in the tough UV-stabilised Ripple Black Scylla powder-coat.

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The four 35kg mid-placed drawers are the perfect home for lasers, socket sets, batteries and other gear you’d prefer to keep separate from the rest of your tools. The more significant 50kg-rated bottom drawer also makes an excellent home for power tools, boxes of nails and other hardware that loves to bounce around when left in larger storage areas or the back of the tray.

The 2.5mm flat-plate aluminium toolbox uses the highest quality materials, and the full door with drawers will exceed the needs of Australian tradies. No-one wants to hear their tools sliding around in the tray, and the organised layout of this toolbox will allow you to know exactly where everything is.

It’s all about the accessories

Other features of this quality set-up include the whale-tail lock, gas-strut-assisted door, cushion rubber seal, dual-folded returns, adjustable shelf, 40mm door recess, and the included 24-month warranty.

While the passenger side was more about organisation and secure storage, the driver’s side toolbox was more about housing bulkier tools in their boxes or bags. This 1750mm full-door 2.5mm flat-plate aluminium toolbox offers plenty of options with a removable shelf and copious space to house bulky power tools. It also keeps power tools safe, secure and out of the harsh weather and conditions, with water- and dust-resistant seals and locking systems.

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The team at TC Boxes recently added some sought-after accessories to make off-road adventures last as long as possible, so we had to include two black jerry can holders, which have been perfectly designed to finish flush with the rear of the tray. The holders, designed and built for serious adventure, are constructed using 5mm laser-cut aluminium with internal and external welds.

Most tradies will love the inclusion of a 70mm universal ladder rack. It’s a pretty straightforward system that will greatly assist when it comes to storing and loading gear. This system easily fits to your toolboxes or canopy, and it will help to carry tools during the week or boards, rods and canoes on the weekend.

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Constructing out of 40mm x 40mm x 2.5mm RHS square tube and being 1400mm wide with 5mm-thick mounting plates, the team at TC Boxes have made these as durable as possible.

The dual 900mm NTR tapered aluminium under tray toolboxes offer industry-leading quality, and its TIG-welded construction ensures reliability and durability. Being lockable and dust- and weather-resistant through the inclusion of the rubber seal, this option again adds flexibility to your fit-out. Including dual cable supports allows for smooth opening, and tradies we have spoken to have enjoyed and appreciated the quality of the locking mechanism.

Wrap-up

As we conclude this initial phase of the Triton’s transformation with TC Boxes, it’s abundantly clear that functionality has never looked this good. TC Boxes has met and exceeded our expectations with its unwavering commitment to top-notch build quality, premium materials, and clever design.

Our mission to elevate the Triton from an ordinary workhorse to an extraordinary dual-purpose beast has gained tremendous momentum thanks to this impressive collaboration.

This installation marks a significant milestone in building the ultimate tradie work ute.

The Queensland Police Service has invested in new LandCruisers for specialised District Duty Officers (DDO), with the vehicles kitted out with ARB gear and other specialised equipment.

The first of the new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series police vehicles is already patrolling the streets of Ipswich, west of Brisbane, but more are set to be rolled out state-wide in coming months.

Operational police had strong input into the design of the new LandCruisers, which are equipped with a range of tools, communications systems, safety devices, command planning equipment, lighting and an ARB storage system.

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“This vehicle has been designed by the very officers responsible for leading frontline policing, which means it has everything they could want or need to do their job efficiently and safely,” said QPS Assistant Commissioner, Matthew Vanderbyl.

The DDOs using the new LandCruisers are senior officers responsible for supervising and supporting police action and operations in their district, which is why these vehicles are equipped to handle just about anything.

These LandCruisers will work around the clock to take charge of priority situations including matters of public safety, missing persons, and other serious incidents.

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Advanced technology like Reveal Shield PRO thermal imaging allows officers to see up to 50 metres in the dead of night, while a new ‘rumbler’ siren sends audio-derived shockwaves to those who may not be able to hear a traditional siren.

The rumbler siren utilises low frequency sound waves that create distinct vibrations that people in the vicinity of the vehicle will feel as well as hear, made possible by subwoofers mounted to the front of the vehicles.

“This top-of-the-range technology gives QPS District Duty Officers the tools they need to keep the community and their fellow officers safe,” said Minister for Police and Corrective Services, Mark Ryan.

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A silver colour was selected for the vehicles, with unique QPS decals and a large number on the roof allowing the LandCruisers to be visible to the Polair helicopter unit.

On-board ARB storage includes drawers, pull-out tables, a fridge and other bespoke storage solutions, while an array of custom lighting is neatly hidden in various positions like the factory grab points for the tailgate.

A stock aesthetic has been maintained with standard wheels, tyres and suspension, but genuine Toyota options like the bull bar and snorkel hint at off-road potential.

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Unlike other states and territories, QPS owns its fleet outright, purchasing vehicles like the LandCruisers rather than leasing them. For that reason, they are incentivised to select vehicles with strong resale as well as fitting accessories that will add value.

For that reason it is no surprise that QPS chose LandCruiser 300 Series wagons for DDO use. However, Mr Vanderbyl told us they’re also the best option in terms of their performance.

“Vehicles are one of the key pieces of equipment needed by police to ensure they can respond to the public’s calls for help in emergencies,” he said. “Everyone loves them (300 Series) and they’re hard to beat.”

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Being the most powerful, comfortable and capable LandCruiser yet, it is no surprise the 300 Series is making waves within the force as the base for one of the most advanced policing vehicles yet.

“I could not be more proud of the DDOs involved in designing this vehicle, for drawing on their more than 100 years of service collectively, resulting in one of the most advanced policing vehicles in the country,” Mr Vanderbyl said.

Isuzu Motors has confirmed an electric ute is coming and will initially launch in Europe.

At the launch of the facelifted D-Max in Thailand, the company’s president Shinsuke Minami told Auto Express [↗] it will produce a battery-electric pickup.

“Isuzu will first introduce it in Europe and then examine its gradual rollout by meeting the needs of each market, including Thailand,” Shinsuke said.

The current diesel-powered Isuzu D-Max ute is also made in Thailand.

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While details and timings are unclear, it should help the commercial vehicle-focused automaker meet increasingly strict emissions mandates, and the European Union and United Kingdom’s ban of new internal combustion engine vehicle sales from 2035 – with the former only allowing synthetic e-fuels.

Isuzu has been subject to criticism for lacking electric vehicle sales targets compared to other automakers, with only a 2050 net zero commitment.

It currently only sells two models, the D-Max ute and related MU-X large SUV. Both share their body-on-frame chassis with the Mazda BT-50 ute.

Since Isuzu tends to keep each platform generation selling for a longer time, an electric drivetrain could be fitted to the D-Max, as LDV managed with the eT60, as well as the promised Volkswagen Amarok EV and Toyota HiLux Revo concept but a new ground-up EV platform is also possible.

Australia represents a large market for Isuzu with the D-Max ute and MU-X SUV consistently in the top 20 best-selling new vehicle sales charts and directly rivals electric carmaker Tesla for offering two popular closely related models.

The 2024 Ssangyong Rexton seven-seat SUV has been introduced with a new mid-range Adventure offering and a lower-spec ELX trim.

Despite the ELX losing features, the Korean-made Rexton SUV is $1010 more expensive – now $50,000 drive-away. The Adventure trim, which now features heated and ventilated seats, is $5K dearer than the old ELX. Offsetting the price increase is a new dashboard with a large 12.3-inch touchscreen instead of the outgoing 8.0-inch item, and up-to-date USB-C charge ports.

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The off-road friendly SUV based on Ssangyong’s Musso ute also gets a redesigned dual-zone climate control module.

Maintaining the same 148kW/441Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic, the Rexton’s only hardware change is more compliant lower body mounts to improve the SUV’s secondary ride characteristics. Graphite grey joins five other available colours for 2024.

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JUMP AHEAD

• 2024 Ssangyong Rexton pricing
• 2024 Ssangyong Rexton features
• Colours
• Engine, drivetrain, and fuel economy
• Safety
• Dimensions
• Warranty and servicing
• Availability

2024 Ssangyong Rexton pricing

All prices are drive-away.

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2024 Ssangyong Rexton features

The new ELX entry grade has been slightly de-contented for 2024.

It gets cloth seats instead of synthetic leather with heating and ventilation, now reserved for the Adventure.

The Adventure also gains the Ultimate’s speed-sensitive power steering and steering and a power tailgate. No variant features a wireless charger anymore.

2024 Ssangyong Rexton Ultimate features

Options

Ssangyong Rexton Sport Pack (Ultimate, $2000)

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Colours

All colours bar Grand White are $595 options

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Engine, drivetrain, and fuel economy

The Ssangyong Rexton carries over its 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine produces 148kW and 441Nm.

A six-speed Aisin-sourced automatic sends grunt to all four wheels with selectable four-high and four-low modes. A mechanically locking rear differential is standard.

The Rexton is rated to tow a 3.5-tonne braked load or 750kg unbraked.

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Safety

The Ssangyong Rexton has not received an ANCAP rating.

Safety aids, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), are standard, while six airbags (dual front, side and curtain) are fitted across the Rexton range.

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Dimensions

The SsangYong Rexton measures 4850mm long, 1825mm tall, and 1960mm wide and rides on a 2865mm wheelbase.

It has 203mm of ground clearance, with approach/departure angles of 20.5 degrees and a breakover angle of 20 degrees.

With the third row of seats folded down, the Rexton offers 641 litres of luggage capacity, increasing to 1806L with both the second and third row of seats folded.

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Warranty and servicing

All Ssangyong models have a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and seven years of roadside assistance.

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Availability

The 2024 Ssangyong Rexton will arrive in Australia this month.

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