Toyota is once again lauding praise on the Hilux for its bravery in taking on the ice and fire to deliver scientists to the dormant volcano hours before it erupted.

While the Hilux obviously had no choice in the matter, the mission is being hailed as yet another victory for the unstoppable and Top Gear-proven "indestructible" pick-up.

Scientists used the modified Hilux to transport their monitoring equipment to Iceland's Eyjafallajökull volcano before it erupted to send a 30,000-foot plume of ash into the sky, which brought much of Europe to a standstill.

The vehicles were modified and prepared by specialist firm Arctic Trucks to the same extreme environment specification as the Hilux used by Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson and James May for their epic polar expedition.

With giant low-pressure, 38-inch tyres, the uncompromising Hilux overcame all challenges to make its way through ice and snow in its journey towards the volcano.

The Hilux already proved its worth when it conquered both magnetic poles of the Earth and now it seems there isn't a mountain too high or active to stop the pick-up from doing its job.

"With Europe's most advanced aircraft rendered powerless by the ash-filled atmosphere, it's Hilux that once again has proved itself the master of everything man and nature can put in its path," a Toyota spokesperson stated.

Aoibhinn Twomey - 19 Apr 2010