Top Gear’s Ice and Volcano-Conquering Toyota HiLux for Australian International Motor Show

by Brad Leach - 01/09/10

The modified Toyota HiLux, which TV show Top Gear drove to both the North Pole and Iceland’s erupting volcano, will be the star attraction on the Toyota stand at the Australian International Motor Show (Sydney).

A 3.0-litre turbo-diesel HiLux double cab, the Top Gear HiLux and the support vehicles (another HiLux and a Prado) were specially kitted for their North Pole and Icelandic volcano trips, including giant low-pressure 38-inch tyres. 

The trip to the North Pole started in the town of Resolute, Canada and saw the HiLux endure temperatures as low as –36 degrees. It was a different story in Iceland where Top Gear presenter James May drove the HiLux to the volcano’s edge just hours before its massive eruption which caused chaos for European air travelers as a result of the ash cloud which rose 10,000 metres into the sky.

The Australian International Motor Show (Darling Harbour, Sydney) runs from October 15-24.