A TOUGH SUV that even Jeremy Clarkson couldn’t destroy on iconic motors show Top Gear is making a stunning return as an EV.
Set to arrive in June 2026, the new, ninth-generation Toyota Hilux looks set to enthral petrolheads.
The “Invincible” machine will boast a body-on-frame solidity, 700mm wading depth and serious tow ratings of the old beast.
As an electric vehicle, the vehicle will pack a 59.2 kWh battery and promises around 150 miles between charges.
Charging speeds have not been confirmed but Toyota says they will be “best in class” to “minimise vehicle down-time”.
Compared to its diesel counterpart, the new Hilux will have slimmer headlights, chunkier wheel arches and a cabin bristling with 12.3-inch screens and connected gadgetry.
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But petrol fans don’t despair – as Toyota has confirmed it will keep diesel, hybrid and even hydrogen options in the wings for later.
Buyers can expect to be set back around at least £37,000 for the EV.
The Toyota Hilux achieved cult status largely thanks to Top Gear.
In one of the show’s most famous experiments — the ‘Indestructible Hilux’ episodes from Series 3 — Jeremy Clarkson and the team set out to prove that the humble pickup was literally unkillable.
They pushed an old, high-mileage Hilux to its limits: driving it down stairs, crashing it into trees, drowning it in the sea, setting it on fire, and even placing it on top of a tower block that was blown up.
The sight of the battered truck became an instant icon of the show.
It comes as rival manufacturer Renault is reviving its iconic 90’s hatchback in a bid to boost its electric vehicle sales.
The quirky EV is expected to be one of the cheapest of its kind on the market.
The new Twingo has been developed at record pace for Renault – just 21 months from approval to production – thanks to an engineering team in China.
It will retain the shape of its 1992 predecessor and its signature round headlights.
The car will be assembled in Slovenia using a more affordable LFP battery from Chinese manufacturer CATL.
The 27.5 kWh LFP battery paired with a lightweight, 82 horsepower electric motor will give the Twingo a WLTP range of 163 miles.
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The Twingo is ideal for city driving because of its light 1,200 kg kerb weight, which nevertheless permits a 0-31 mph pace of 3.85 seconds.
The new model will also have full one-pedal capability, which enables drivers to stop completely in traffic without ever using the brake pedal.