Don't make up your mind too quickly about this big Toyota hybrid

Toyota Hilux hybrid drive by Steve Rogers

Toyota has plenty to shout about with the latest version of the legendary Hilux pick up.

It has hybrid technology for the first time and it won the Dakar rally for the fourth time. And it came second as well so not bad for the CV.

Hilux has a worldwide following, 27 million have been shipped out of Japan since it was launched in 1968, setting a benchmark for those that followed. Not that it gets a free ride with strong competition from Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and the KGM (used to be SsangYong) Musso.

The only party pooper is the Government which has put the kibosh on rock bottom commercial tax rates enjoyed by company car drivers who chose double cab pick ups for the lucrative tax break. The double cab is now classed as a car closing the tax loophole.

Trendy lifestylers carrying jet skis and the like to the beach are good for the image but Hilux is still an off road giant, whether it is wading through water, traversing rocky slopes or tackling seemingly impossible descents. Toyota has stuck with the ladder frame chassis for its strength and rigidity and provided all the tech tools to tackle any off road challenge.

I have not been off roading but have been towing my caravan on a 150 mile trek to Pembrokeshire. Lots of hills, lots of twisting roads and lots of poor road surfaces but knowing the Hilux has the capacity to pull nearly three times the weight of my van is a feel good factor and the automatic gearbox takes the drudgery out of what would have been constant gearchanging. It also has trailer sway control, very reassuring with a 23ft caravan in tow.

The headline news is the mild hybrid system, only available with the 2.8 litre engine, which is an electric motor powered by a 48V hybrid battery. This will not give you miles of electric-only driving but should give a nudge to acceleration and improve economy.

It has done very little for performance but the engine is smoother while cruising. Compared to my last Hilux review a few years ago, economy while towing is unchanged although I did a bit better than the official average driving solo. The most noticeable improvement is the stop start which is instant now that it does not operate via the starter motor.

For those needing Hilux for heavy duty work there is a huge amount of grunt from the turbo diesel, hardly surprising given its 500Nm or torque. You can’t get away from the agricultural din under acceleration but cruising is acceptably smooth.

On the other side of the coin Hilux is a family proposition although you would want to go up the range for the normal SUV creature comforts. This Invincible X tops 40 grand and comfortably seats five adults with a pick up deck that will take a mountain of luggage and can be covered to the roofline. It is also perfect for hauling a fifth wheeler holiday trailer.

Don’t expect a magic carpet ride, after all this is primarily a go anywhere working pick up.

The slightest road blemish will send a body moving shudder through the chassis, but these are not jarring, so the updates to the suspension have clearly worked.

For this money you get auto dipping LED headlights, all round one touch powered windows, 360 degree view camera, ambient cabin lighting, leather upholstery, windscreen wiper de-icer and on board navigation as part of an extensive spec list. The eight inch touchscreen is small by today’s standards and the camera definition would benefit from a larger unit.

Another strong point are the steering wheel controls for the driver’s display. Everything is logical and easy to fathom and there is a simple button to turn off the lane assist. Why can’t all car manufacturers do that instead of burying it in the touch screen menu?

The Jack of all trades Hilux comes with multiple variations - single cab, extra with occasional rear seats, or a four door double which is the most popular.

The big question is whether switching from an SUV is the best solution when you are paying for a lot of off road technology that might never be used. A family get together around the dining table weighing the pros and cons might be better than a snap decision.

Fast facts

Hilux Invincible X hybrid

£41,525

2.8litre turbo diesel; 201bhp

6-speed automatic

0-62mph 10.7secs; 109mph

27.9-30.1mpg combined

242g/km

3500kg towing capacity

1085kg payload

Insurance group 43

Work starts on two major improvement schemes at school

Work has started this summer on improvements at Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen.

Denbighshire County Council’s Property Team is managing two areas of work at the school to help benefit both pupils and staff at the site.

To support the wellbeing of pupils and staff, work will be carried out to replace the existing dining hall glazing.

It will be replaced with an insulated flat roof incorporating new polycarbonate roof lights. The work is expected to be completed by the end of August.

The property team is also commencing a second phase of work aimed at improving safety at the school site.

Phase 2 of the Ysgol Dinas Bran Safeguarding Scheme will see work carried out at the site to improve pedestrian and vehicular traffic management. The development will also increase segregation away from potential roadside risk to enhance pupil safety at the school.

This work is due to be finished by the end of October.

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said: “We want to maintain the best environments at our schools across Denbighshire to support pupil development and promote strong learning. I’m pleased this work is going ahead at Ysgol Dinas Bran and would like to thank the school for their work and our Property Team for managing these projects.” 

Lads encounter pickpocket peril on next leg of their journey to Thailand

 

* The lads with Caco the bartender who helped them out with accommodation, food and a cash contribution.

* Louis had to visit the police station after being pickpocketed in Rotterdam.

The second week of their 10,000 cycling journey to Thailand began on a bitter/sweet note for the three lads from Llangollen who have taken up the challenge to raise support for heart research.

Their regular social media video log shows that just a day after landing in the Hook of Holland from a North Sea ferry 18-year-old Louis Dennis from Garth was pickpocket as they made their way through Rotterdam and his mobile phone was taken.

But there was some good news in the shape of a Caco, the bartender they encountered in the city. Not only did he fix them up with accommodation for the night, but also breakfast next morning and a welcome 100 euro donation to their travel fund.   

Louis, who admitted the theft had left him "at rock bottom", eventually found a replacement phone and on they went. 

The next day, as they reached Tilberg in thee Netherlands, the temperature hit 30 degrees which rendered them unable to do much cycling as they were "drenched in sweat."

Over the next two days the mercury shot up to 35 degrees, so it was day 13 out from Llangollen when they were at last able to hit the road again, setting out at 5am so they could do some miles before the sun started to beat down on them again.     

As they crossed the border into Germany at Venlo the lads found some apples growing in an orchard by the roadside. They were just helping themselves when the farmer showed up. A quick apology was all that was necessary before they were back in the saddles.

* Here's a link to the Westheads' socials on which you can follow their journey and make a donation if you wish: https://linktr.ee/westheads

* Caught scrumping in Germany - but the farmer accepted an apology. 

Town crier Chem and wife Jane mark golden wedding in style

* Chem and Jane, on the left, and their family thank guests for helping them celebrate 50 years of married life in the marquee at Plas Newydd.

Llangollen's well-known town crier, Austin "Chem" Cheminais, and his wife Jane put up a huge marquee in the grounds of Plas Newydd to celebrate their golden wedding yesterday (Saturday) evening.

* Guests mingle outside the big tent.

Over 60 of their family members from all parts of the UK along with a large number of friends from the town helped the couple mark their 50th anniversary in fine style.

Catering was by the team based at Plas Newydd while the bar was manned by members of Llangollen Fringe Festival.

A children's entertainer helped keep the younger guests entertained with games such as bubble blowing.

With close members of the family gathered around him Chem, a former town councillor and Llangollen mayor, thanked everyone for coming along to help Jane and himself celebrate the landmark occasion, adding that moving to Llangollen 14 years ago was the best thing they had ever done. 

* Young guests having fun blowing big bubbles with the children's entertainer.

Police appeal follows fatal road collision in Bwlchgwyn

North Wales Police have this afternoon (Saturday) launched an appeal for information following a fatal road collision in Bwlchgwyn yesterday evening.

It says: "We are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision involving four motorcycles and a Range Rover Evoque on the B5340 at Bwlchgwyn, Wrexham at 19:38hrs on Friday 15th August 2025.

"Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency services, the male rider of one of the motorcycles was pronounced dead at the scene. A second rider sustained serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to Wrexham Maelor Hospital, where he remains under treatment."

Sergeant Alun Jones of the Roads Crime Unit said: “Firstly, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family at this very difficult time. This is now being investigated as a fatal road traffic collision.

“I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who was travelling in the area and may have dash cam or mobile footage, to contact us.

“The road was closed for several hours whilst the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit carried out initial enquiries, and we thank the public for their patience and understanding.”

* Anyone with information is urged to contact the Roads Crime Unit via the live webchat on the North Wales Police website or by calling 101, quoting reference number C126741.

Intrepid fitness fans' hot idea to open their own sauna

* The newly-opened STōKED SAWNA in its outdoor setting near Mile End Mill. 

Two proud Welsh men who say they are "passionate" about health and fitness have just opened their own sauna business in Llangollen.

Over 15 years of friendship Gilbert Matthew and Mark Roberts have shared many adventures, from skateboarding the length of Wales in memory of two close friends and raising £25,000 for Nightingale House Hospice to kayaking the River Dee from source to sea. 

It was during one of these trips that the two hatched the plan to bring a wood-fired sauna to their home area in the Dee Valley.

A post-surf sauna session got them talking about how wonderful the experience was - as they describe it, "The contrast of spending time in the elements and then coming to a serene place of calm, winding the body down after exertion, and looking out of the sauna to a beautiful place".

* The men behind the idea, Gilbert Matthew and Mark Roberts. 

And that is how STōKED SAWNA, based at the far end of Mile End Mill’s car park, was born.

They spent many hours over the summer of 2024 transforming an Ivor Williams trailer into an off-grid sauna, both bringing an eye for detail and an ambition to create a truly special place for their local community. 

Mark is a skilled joiner and brought a honed talent to the building of STōKED. Gilbert is a specialized welder by trade, so he was able to bring energy and drive with a touch of engineering precision to the project.

The new business has already created between four and eight part-time sauna host roles.

They say: "Together we have created a beautiful sauna that is a joy to while away an hour or so in. 

"We are excited to welcome you to STōKED SAWNA, making Llangollen a hotter, healthier and happier place to live or visit."

* For more details of the new business, go to: www.stokedsawna.co.uk

Legion marks 80th anniversary of VJ Day in Centenary Square

Members of the Royal British Legion's Llangollen branch held a short ceremony in Centenary Square this morning (Friday) to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, when the Second World war officially came to an end on August 15 1945.   

Before the traditional two minutes' silence at 11am came the reading of the famous passage from For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon: "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them."

The ceremony, held in brilliant sunlight, ended with the well-known verse from the Kohima Epitaph: "When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today".