Hilux is RFC support vehicle

The RFC is a legendary event, people who take part in it will talk about their experience for years. The extreme ruggedness fo the event means that even the most experienced offroaders are tested to the limit.

In fact the event is so tough that there are years when the whole convoy would be stuck for mroe than a day at a particular obstacle, especially if it rains and makes the trails slippery and/or impassable.

Contestants from around the world come equipped to the hilt to tackle the challenge of the Malaysian rain forest and their machines range from small Suzuki Jimnys to high powered modified Jeep that can throw mud a hundred feet in the air.

Take part in one and you will find mud in crevices you never knew you had.

Anyway, Toyota decided that their Hilux should be the support vehicle for one of the world’s toughest off-road event. They are installing a few necessary extreme equipment such as knobbly tyres, taller suspension for adder groudn clearance adn improved axle articulation, winch and extra lights.

Four Hilux will share support duties.

Other than that, the Hilux will run standard engine and transmission.

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Hilux is RFC support vehicle

The Rainforest Challenge is one of the toughest off-road challenge in the world with participants constantly fighting the elements and testing their skills against the worst that mother nature can throw at them.
The Toyota Hilux, with its reputation for toughness and go anywhere capability is a good vehicle to support the event and UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd. certainly agrees.
The distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia is providing four units of Toyota Hilux to be used as support vehicles for this year’s RFC which will  be held from 5th – 14th December 2008 in Terengganu.

UMWT’s participation in the Rainforest Challenge is to showcase the Toyota Hilux’s toughness and capability to withstand the extreme challenge of the roughest terrain in Terengganu.
“UMW Toyota Motor is passionate about 4×4 adventure and proud of our 4×4 vehicle – the Toyota Hilux,” said its Managing Director, Kuah Kock Heng.
“The history of Hilux has been a story of continuous development based on customer’s needs all over the world. It has become a legendary and trusted 4×4 vehicle in the global market,” he added.
Kuah also said “Given the reputation, we truly believe that our tough and reliable Toyota Hilux is up to the mark and can withstand extreme challenges faced during the Rainforest Challenge.
“Being the support vehicles mean that the Toyota Hilux will be used extensively on the rough terrain to support the participating teams and must be reliable enough to do the job.”
Toyota Hilux has established a reputation for toughness and reliability, and is a highly respected product for those whose businesses require a tough ‘partner’.
Since it was introduced in 2000, it has helped to maintain Toyota’s leadership position in the 4X4 pick-up segment in Malaysia. As of September 2008, UMWT has sold more than 60,000 units of the Hilux, capturing 45% market share of its segment.

The four units of Toyota Hilux 2.5D STD 4×4 Manual are fitted with additional parts and off-road accessories to face the extreme condition. Despite the enhancements, the support vehicles will still maintain its durable D-4D 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine with Common Rail Direct Injection system, which produces a maximum output of 75 kW/102 ps at 3,600 rpm. With 260 Nm available from 1,600 rpm to 2,400 rpm, powerful acceleration is obtainable with maximum torque being achieved for a wide