Toyota Hilux Proves Its Indestructible Legacy Once Again
When it comes to rugged reliability and unmatched durability in the automotive world, Toyota has consistently set the gold standard. Recently, the Japanese automaker decided to revisit one of the most famous durability stunts in automotive history, putting its latest generation lifestyle pickup truck to the ultimate test. By performing a high-risk drop test on the brand-new battery-electric version of the iconic truck, Toyota has once again proven why its engineering is globally renowned for surviving extreme conditions.
The stunt involved dropping a massive 760-kilogram caravan directly onto the roof of the modern electric pickup. The resulting destruction was immense, but the aftermath stunned automotive experts and enthusiasts alike, as the vehicle continued to operate under its own power despite sustaining heavy structural damage.
The Nostalgic Roots of 'Killing a Toyota'
This modern-day spectacle pays homage to a legendary moment from automotive television history. Over two decades ago, back in 2003, the famous BBC motoring show Top Gear featured presenter Jeremy Clarkson subjecting a diesel-powered Toyota Hilux to seemingly impossible forms of abuse. From being driven into the sea and smashed with heavy tools to being crushed under falling structures and engulfed in fire, the truck endured it all.
Remarkably, after surviving every single catastrophic ordeal, that diesel pickup managed to start up and drive back to the studio. That historic test cemented the Hilux's reputation as an indestructible machine. Now, 23 years later, Toyota decided to recreate that iconic spirit using its futuristic all-electric powertrain to test the limits of modern EV architecture.
Executing the 30-Foot Caravan Drop Test
The modern reincarnation of the classic durability test took place at Bentwaters Airfield in Suffolk, UK. Toyota engineers hoisted a massive 760 kg caravan roughly 9 meters—about 30 feet—into the air using a heavy-duty crane. Stationed directly underneath this hanging weight was the brand-new 9th-generation Hilux BEV.
Without any modifications or specialized safety cages, the heavy mobile home was released directly onto the roof of the mid-size electric pickup. The impact pulverized the caravan's fiberglass and wooden frame instantly, sending debris flying in all directions while onboard cameras captured every frame of the brutal impact.
Chassis and Battery Pack Remain Unscathed
Unsurprisingly, the impact took a heavy toll on the truck's upper body. The roof buckled inward, the front windshield shattered completely, and the rear cargo bed suffered severe denting. The suspension compressed intensely under the sudden massive load, causing the vehicle to temporarily drop low to the ground.
However, the real engineering marvel lay underneath. Despite the crushed cabin, the ladder-frame chassis, high-voltage battery pack, and electric motors remained entirely unaffected. Following the crash, the driver turned the ignition, and the Hilux EV immediately roared to life, driving away from the wreckage under its own power.
