One of Toyota’s most stalwart creations has just had a makeover – and it’s an extreme enough shake-up to push it into a market where it’ll go head-to-head with the world’s most high-end pick-ups.
We’re talking about the Hilux, a vehicle most will be familiar with, if only by sight – the UAE’s roads are filled with commercial versions, generally carting around various kinds of work-related gear.
Now, though, customers will be able to get their hands on a model geared towards drivers who need a bit of space to truck around the kind of stuff that’s likely to result in fun for the occupants.
This newbie is called the Adventure, and Toyota is styling it as a tough set of wheels ideal for long road trips, off-road exploration, camping, fishing and any other activity that will require shunting around a lot of kit.
With special features throughout, the vehicle has been given an athletic look, which includes a three-dimensional trademarked front grille and a reinvigorated front bumper. Wide wheel-arch extensions have been designed to fit the 18-inch alloy tyres, and there are little decorative touches that include unique door handles and a new tailgate design.
There’s no shortage of oomph, of course – the new Hilux has been fitted out with a four-litre V6 engine, which will pump out 235 horsepower. That’s less than a lot of pick-ups on the roads at the moment, but the Adventure is a more streamlined option than some of the more monstrous versions of the breed. Suffice to say, you’ll notice the difference at the petrol pump.
Toyota is clearly expecting the Adventure to get some attention as it gave a version to former 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso, who described it as “invincible”. If the Adventure is anything like its commercial compatriots, there may not be a lot of argument with that. He did drive a souped-up version in the Dakar Rally, after all.
Prices for the Adventure start at Dh143,000, and Al Futtaim Toyota dealerships are offering test drives now.
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
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Bharatanatyam
A ancient classical dance from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Intricate footwork and expressions are used to denote spiritual stories and ideas.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 395bhp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: from Dh321,200
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
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Hotel Silence
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Pushkin Press
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Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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Specs
Engine: 2-litre
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 255hp
Torque: 273Nm
Price: Dh240,000
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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Total club appearances 411
Total goals scored 241
Appearances for Barca 186
Goals scored for Barca 105
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
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Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
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Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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THE LIGHT
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Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
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Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
