Utes

Mitsubishi Motors Australia has extended its promotional seven-year warranty campaign for its Triton ute to the end of August.

Toyota’s upgraded 2020 HiLux has scored a maximum five stars in Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) crash testing under the more stringent 2019 criteria, the first ute to do so.

While there’s no V8 yet, US company Magnaflow has revealed custom exhausts for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator to enhance its sound quality and street presence. Available in three different configurations for the V6 petrol Jeep Gladiator, buyers can select two ‘Street Series’ cat-back systems or a ‘Rock Crawler Series’ system designed for maximum clearance. The Street Series systems offer “a comfortable interior note providing just enough engine feedback while not producing an undesirable drone and deep performance sound outside”, according to Magnaflow.One features a single rear exit with a polished stainless steel tip, while the other has a dual-split exit with a satin black finish under the bumper. The Rock Crawler Series exhaust uses a single straight exit on the driver’s side that’s supposedly packaged in a way that favours extra space for bigger bumpers, aftermarket suspension and so on. Pricing for the exhausts starts at US$517 - that’s on top of the US$33,545 starting price of the Gladiator Sport. The Gladiator is due to launch in Australia in the first half of 2020. Local pricing and specs will be revealed before then.

Toyota Australia has announced upgrades to its top-selling HiLux range for the 2020 model year - a move that was previewed by CarsGuide in April.Standard on all HiLux models is previously unavailable safety tech including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (AEB) with day and night pedestrian detection and day time cyclist detection, as well as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assistance and road sign assist.These upgrades to the HiLux mean that it matches the Ford Ranger in offering AEB across its entire range, as well as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. The SsangYong Musso and Mercedes-Benz X-Class are the only other utes to offer AEB across their entire ranges, while the Mitsubishi Triton offers the potentially life-saving tech on the majority of the models in that range. This leaves utes such as the Mazda BT-50, Isuzu D-Max, Volkswagen Amarok, Nissan Navara and Holden Colorado still unavailable with tech such as AEB, though the latter offers forward collision warning. A new 4.2-inch multi-function display is now standard across the HiLux range to accommodate the speed sign recognition display. The standard 'low ride' 4x2 single-cab cab-chassis and double-cab 2.4-litre turbo diesel models have been discontinued and replaced with WorkMate hi-rider versions that feature the same body and engine configuration with a ride height raised to the same level as HiLux 4x4 models.The move to hi-rider spec for these two WorkMate models means they gain a six-speed manual, which replaces the previous five-speed unit. The 2020 HiLux will hit dealers in August 2019. Single and double cab versions will be available from August 1, and extra cabs will be available from August 26. Pricing for the 2020 HiLux range has increased by between $800 and $875 depending on the variant. Pricing kicks off from $21,865 plus on-road costs.Full pricing details will follow at a later date.

Australia’s 4x2 ute market is dominated by the Toyota HiLux. It’s a favourite for many tradies, small business operators and government/private fleets due to its brand familiarity, load-carrying ability, reliability, variety of body configurations and resale value. And, no doubt, Toyota’s proven success in maintaining and growing fleet business.In 2019 the HiLux commands more than 36 per cent of the local 4x2 ute segment. However, unlike the battle to be top dog in 4x4 ute sales, Toyota’s closest 4x2 competitor is not Ford’s Ranger but Isuzu’s venerable D-Max, which currently attracts more than 13 per cent of sales. We recently trialled a one tonner from the D-Max 4x2 range to find out why it’s such a strong performer in this workhorse-focused market.

The Volkswagen Tarok “urban pick-up” concept shown at the 2018 Sao Paolo motor show is firming to appear in US showrooms, but remains ruled out for Australia. Based on the brand’s MQB platform with optional all-wheel drive, Volkswagen US sees a market for the Tarok.Where most utes - or, in local parlance, trucks - are gigantic in North America, VW believes an untapped market exists for smaller models aimed at urbanites searching for a more lifestyle-orientated vehicle.“As (mid-size) pickups get bigger, to the stage where they are as big as full-size pickups were not so long ago, and more expensive and less fuel-efficient, we are trying to see if there is space for a vehicle with a smaller footprint that potentially is more affordable and gets better fuel economy,”  Volkswagen of America’s Senior Vice President of Product Marketing and Strategy told The Detroit News.Unfortunately, the Tarok’s chances for Oz appear very slim, with Volkswagen Australia's Paul Pottinger telling CarsGuide that "There’s not enough capacity at either end for our market. There's just no appetite for a compact ute in Australia."To be built in Mexico, and thus avoiding the USA’s 25-per-cent "chicken tax" on imported commercial vehicles, the Tarok will reportedly be available with a trio of turbocharged four-cylinder engines.The concept used a 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre and a 132kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol, while a 110kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel could also be made available. All-wheel drive will likely be optional, and both manual and automatic gearboxes will be available. The Tarok concept also featured a very clever variable load space, which allowed the rear seat to be dropped to extend the useable length of the tray.

After a couple of teasers, Skoda has finally revealed its apprentice-built Mountiaq ute.Based on the Kodiaq SUV, the Mountiaq (or ‘mountain Kodiaq’) was developed by 35 students from the Skoda Vocational School for Mechanical Engineering and took over 2000 hours over the past eight months to create. The Mountiaq is the sixth vehicle built by the company as part its vocational program, and there is currently no production intent for the car - though it’s not hard to see Skoda producing something similar to it in the future. Heavily reworked from the Kodiaq on which it was based, the Mountiaq’s cabin is significantly shorter and ends behind the front seats. The rear was totally reshaped to accommodate an illuminated pick-up bed and a fully functioning tailgate.The Mountiaq also features a number of off-road parts including an LED light bar on the roof, 17-inch wheels with off-road tyres, an air intake snorkel, winch and bullbar. The suspension was lifted 10cm to further increase off-road ability. Inside the Mountiaq is fitted out with more off-road kit - there is a pair of radios, an integrated refrigerator and an illuminated Skoda logo in the headliner. The exterior’s orange and black colour theme continues through to the cabin, with black upholstery with orange highlights featuring. Under the bonnet of the Mountiaq is the standard Kodiaq’s 132kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.Previous apprentice-built cars from Skoda include the Sunroq (a Karoq convertible) in 2018, the Element in 2017 (an electric Citigo), the Atero in 2016 (a Rapid-based coupe), the Funstar (a Fabia pick up truck) in 2015 and the Citijet (a Citigo convertible) in 2014.

Skoda has continued to tease its apprentice-built Mountiaq ute ahead of a global reveal next month.Based on the Kodiaq SUV but with a very different exterior style, including just two doors and a large rear tray, the Mountiaq is painted in a new ‘Sunset Orange’ paint finish. Skoda will fit the Mountiaq with many off-road accessories including a bull bar at the front, backlit grille bars, an LED light bar on the roof and 17-inch wheels with huge off-road tyres to further enhance the car’s stance. The Mountiaq is the sixth car Skoda has let its apprentices create after the Sunroq (a Karoq convertible) in 2018, the Element in 2017 that was based on an electric Citigo, the Atero in 2016 (a Rapid-based coupe), the Funstar (a Fabia pick up truck) in 2015 and the Citijet (a Citigo convertible) in 2014.Skoda is yet to reveal pictures of the interior, though it says it will be covered in black and orange leather upholstery. Under the bonnet is the same 132kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the regular Kodiaq. So far, the Mountiaq has taken more than 2000 hours to create.

Renault has unveiled the updated Alaskan ute in Europe for 2019 with upgraded powertrains, new tech and revised suspension for increased payload. Central to the changes is that upgraded rear suspension setup, which has increased the Alaskan’s carrying capability by 120kg to 1100kg. The Alaskan can still tow up to 3500kg. Despite upgraded carrying capacity, Renault says that the Alaskan's ride quality is more comfortable than before and features less vibrations because of the revamped suspension. It's a similar story to what's happened with the Nissan Navara, which the Renault ute is based upon - that ute is now three-revisions deep in its lifecycle.Other upgrades include the powertrain, which is a 2.3-litre turbo-diesel engine in either 120kW/425Nm single-turbo or 140kW/450Nm twin-turbo forms. As before, a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic is available. The Alaskan has also earned new equipment such as auto emergency braking (AEB), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, a 360-degree parking camera and a high-end sound system.Despite the Alaskan’s upgrades, it is still yet to be confirmed for local sales. Renault Australia marketing director Emma Pinwill said that the company “desperately wants a pick-up.”“Renault understands there is demand to introduce a pick-up to Australian shores to compete in an important segment in the local market, and Renault Australia is working with the global team on the business case to support the introduction of a vehicle here,” said Ms Pinwill.“It takes a lot of regional and global support to get any product introduced to a new market and the case for a pickup in Australia is still under study. The most important thing for Renault to consider is the need to have the right vehicle for the Australian market and its consumers.”Renault Australia sales are due to be boosted by the arrival of the Kadjar small SUV in the second quarter of 2019, new Trafic and Master vans in the fourth quarter of 2019, as well as the new Clio hatchback in 2020. 

The limited edition HSV SportsCat RS has been revealed, featuring a range of unique design tweaks.It's not the first time that HSV has launched a limited edition version of the SportsCat, with the Look Pack having gone on sale in late 2018. Most noticeable is the new-look front end, with a gloss black grille, gloss black lower fascia inserts and a gloss black splash tray. Red and black decals feature on the bonnet with a red and black HSV logo on the tub. Black and red decals feature on the hard tonneau cover and door sills.A bulge in the bonnet also features, as does wheel-arch fender flares and six-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels with Cooper Zeon LTZ Pro Series all-terrain tyres. LED front fog-lamps also feature.There are no mechanical upgrades to the SportsCat RS, with the same 147kW/500Nm 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel as the regular SportsCat featuring a six-speed automatic transmission as standard. The interior of the SportsCat RS features bucket seats in leather and suede trim, with red stitching on the steering wheel, door trims and centre console cover carrying over from the SportsCat Look Pack. This is on top of the regular SportsCat’s equipment list that includes seven airbags, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, automatic headlights and wipers, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, inbuilt satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio, a six-way electric driver’s seat and heated front seats.