Toyota throws the Gladiator into the sales ring

Friday, 8 November 2019

Ever dreamed of owning a beast of an off-road ute with more than $65,000 worth of one-off mods and accessories, but were thwarted by the fact that you don't actually have $65,000 to drop on accessorising a ute up to more than its actual new value in the first place?

Well, now you can, because Toyota is popping theirs on Trade Me with a $1 reserve.

Back in 2017 Toyota decided to make a statement at the National Fieldays at Mystery Creek in Hamilton, so engaged Retro Vehicle Enhancements to help it create the monster that would be named Gladiator - a Hilux SR5 4WD double cab automatic slathered with $65,000 of one-off modifications and accessories, for a total value of more than $120,000.

It was big, it was bold and it was definitely in your face.

With $65,000 worth of mods and accessories, the Hilux Gladiator cost a hefty $120,000 when new. The Hilux Mako has been developed from that and costs a LOT less.

* The new cars you'll see at National Fieldays 2018 - and one you won't

Former National Fieldays star, the Toyota Hilux Gladiator, is heading to Trade Me with a $1 reserve.

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* Toyota goes to town with a Hilux TRD limited-edition**

Toyota built the Gladiator with Auckland's Retro Vehicle Enhancements, the people also responsible for Holden's equally outrageous Colorado Rox.

With $65,000 of mods and accessories on top of the purchase price of a Hilux SR5, the Gladiator was not a cheap thing.

A 2-inch lift, adjustable suspension and a winch make the Gladiator an absolute beast off road.

But it is also probably a bit of a pain to store (plus Jeep might be getting twitchy about the Gladiator name now anyway) so Toyota NZ has decided it has to go, hence the $1 reserve Trade Me auction.

The Hilux Gladiator is no show pony. Well, not JUST a show pony, at least.

'This Hilux takes the concept of fully loaded to the maximum,' said Steve Prangnell, Toyota New Zealand's General Manager of Used Vehicles. 'We packed so much into this vehicle that the accessories are too long to list in this media release.'

Which is taking the easy way out, Steve, so here they are:

Replacement steel bumper with custom fog light surrounds
Genuine Toyota Warn Nylon Winch
LED light bar in bullbar with custom mounts
Custom Gladiator grille
TRD skid plate
Painted headlight garnish
Bonnet bulge
Painted 'D' shackles front and rear
Snorkel with custom Gladiator grille
Custom Bolt-on look Flares, sprayed in with Speedliner
Painted mirror covers with decals
TRD Side Steps
Old Man Emu 2' lift kit, Nitro canister shocks, fully adjustable, damper control, new leaf springs
20-inch offset Moto Metal Alloys
33-inch x 12.5-inch x 20-inch Atturo Trail Blade M/T tyres
Tinted windows, with front windscreen banner
Replacement steel rear bumper
Painted tail light garnish
Tail gate central locking
Sports guard liner sprayed in with Red speedliner
Roll and Lock retractable lid with custom mounts for sports bar
TRD sports bar, with custom tyre and tool mounts
Custom LED roof mounted light bar and bracket
Rhino rack roof track mount system
Full Pantera leather interior in Red, featuring the tombstone front seats
Leather wrapped steering wheel, gear knob, door panel arm rest in red
Carbon Fibre look interior trim wrap with red pinstriping
Custom floor mats with Gladiator branding
Painted engine cover
Full custom decal vehicle wrap including roof, sides, bonnet, tailgate
Painted door handles and Hilux badges
High lift 4WD jack with carbon fibre wrap
Spade and axe with Gladiator and carbon fibre detailing

Which is a hefty list of accessories.

Of course, while it is listing at a $1 reserve, the Gladiator certainly won't go cheap. After all, the Hilux is the most searched for vehicle on Trade Me.

The auction for the Hilux Gladiator starts at 7pm on the 18th of November, and will close at 7pm on the 27th of November. Potential buyers will be able to see the concept truck in person at Manukau Toyota during the auction period.