New flagship Hilux available to order, the Invincible X, sounds like a Superhero film.

• New, top-of-the-range model for Toyota’s super-tough pick-up
• All the features of the Invincible plus multiple new styling options – all included in the vehicle price
• Four 17-inch alloy wheel designs and choice of either a hi-over bar or Style Pack
• Chrome side bars with or without steps and four leather seat upholstery colour-ways
• Available exclusively in Double Cab body style with 3.0-litre D-4D engine, five-speed manual or automatic transmission
• Order books open now, deliveries to customers from late February
• Price from £23,842 (manual model, commercial vehicle on the road, not including VAT).

Toyota’s formidable Hilux gains a new top-of-the-range model this winter in the form of the new Invincible X. Tough enough to take on the worst of Britain’s rain, snow and ice, this newcomer is not just a Toyota thoroughbred, it’s big on style too with a wealth of stand-out features.

It retains all the go-anywhere qualities that give Hilux its “unbreakable” reputation, but adds a series of new styling elements that can be mixed and matched to create a highly personalised pick-up. All these “extras” are available as no-cost options to maximise customer choice.

To begin with there are four 17-inch alloy wheel designs to choose from: the standard Invincible rim and a new Rica five-spoke in all-black or two-tone black/machined or black/graphite finish.

Chrome tubular side bars are also part of the package, with or without step grips according to preference.

Similarly, customers can opt for a rear hi-over bar, or choose instead to have the Style Pack fitted, adding a front guard, silver-coloured under-run, aluminium-finish scuff plates, chrome door handles and chrome surrounds for the bonnet air intake and rear lamp clusters.

Finally there are four colour-ways for the leather seat upholstery: the standard Invincible black, or custom two-tone black with contrasting seatback and cushion inserts in grey, saddle tan or deep red. The custom designs are additionally embossed with the X logo, while the full black upholstery bears the Invincible name.

Equipment features, shared with the Invincible grade, include sports front seats, climate control, cruise control, dusk-sensing headlights, front fog lights, rear privacy glass, front side, and curtain airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, headlamp cleaners, rear-view camera, alarm, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and the Toyota Touch 2 touchscreen-controlled multimedia system, with Bluetooth.

The Invincible X is available exclusively in Double Cab form with Toyota’s 169bhp 3.0-litre D-4D diesel engine matched to either five-speed manual or automatic transmission. With permanent four-wheel drive and an auto-disconnecting differential, the Hilux Invincible X is engineered to take on the toughest environments. It also benefits from a 2.8-tonne towing capacity.

The new Hilux Invincible X is available to order now, priced £23,842 for the manual model and £24,842 for the automatic (commercial vehicle on-the-road, not including VAT).

All new Buick Concept showcases luxury and attention to detail, the thngs we all love to have.

Tailored leather surfaces, unique acrylic trim elevate concept car’s interior

The Buick Avenir’s sculpted exterior and dramatic proportions aren’t the only attributes turning heads and winning awards. The design and materials within the concept car’s interior continue to earn accolades.

“The attention to detail within Avenir is outstanding,” said Charles Allen, a retired automotive designer who served as a chief judge for the 2015 EyesOn Design Awards. “What stands out to me is how well everything is integrated – all of the materials and elements work together seamlessly to provide a sensation of understated elegance that fits the Buick brand perfectly.”

While designers drew inspiration from nature – specifically water washing upon a shoreline – when shaping the graceful lines within Avenir’s interior, the color and trim team worked to find the right materials to add a dynamic flair.

“With Avenir’s interior, we really wanted to select materials that would complement the surfaces within,” said Rebecca Waldemir, Buick Color and Trim design manager. “Using a distinctive combination of premium leather, suede, wood, chrome and acrylic, we were able to design elements that flow seamlessly throughout the interior.”

Avenir’s designers even put a new twist on wood trim, a traditional Buick element. Not only are wood accents featured on the door panels, but the wood itself provides a more luxurious and natural appearance that adds to the airiness of the interior.

“We’ve used open-pore wood in a modern way, much like what you’ll find in high-end furniture. It’s an oiled, low-gloss execution that contrasts beautifully with other interior décor,” said Waldemir.

Avenir’s sculptural instrument panel incorporates an acrylate panel, carved to replicate three-dimensional wave-like patterns but layered beneath a smooth, high-gloss outer layer.

“As you look at the transparent surface from different angles, you will notice that it has a lot of visual depth and movement. It’s a motif we carried to other areas of Avenir, including the seat design, and to the head- and tailamps,” Waldemir said.

While Avenir’s exterior color is a cooler tone, designers wanted to provide a warm, inviting sensation within. The lighter “Lyric” hue, found on most interior surfaces, helps achieve that feeling, while restrained use of a darker tone – “Coastal Myst” – on the instrument panel and arm rests provides a natural transition to the exterior.  To further create a tailored feel, most surfaces within the Avenir are wrapped in leather or suede and accentuated with stitching.

All-in-all, Avenir’s interior materials were designed to work in harmony and provide an upscale environment that feels natural and holistic to all passengers.

“The first thing you’ll notice when you open Avenir’s doors is just how clean and pure its interior design is,” said Liz Wetzel, Buick interior design director. “We’ve stripped it of superfluous, fussy details in order to rely on sculptural forms and harmonious surfaces. The result is a refreshing environment that provides a sense of well-being to anyone seated within.”

Comprised of prominent members of the automotive design community, the EyesOn Design jury also praised Avenir’s overall design with a Best Concept Vehicle trophy. “Avenir’s global design team set out to make a striking design statement, said Holt Ware, Buick exterior design director. “The Avenir embraces Buick’s rich design heritage of creating exquisite sculptures, precise in their design and beautifully proportioned.”