Toyota Hilux GR Sport 2023

Toyota Hilux GR Sport – 224 PS, 550 Nm 2.8 diesel with wider track, tuned suspension debuts in Australia

In Cars, Toyota / By Paul Tan / 8 January 2023 2:03 pm / 3 comments

The Toyota Hilux GR Sport exists in many forms in various markets – we’ve seen European, Thai, Japanese and South African versions before this, but this Australian version is the most hardcore one yet and the closest to being a Ranger Raptor rival thus far.

Under the hood, the 2.8 litre turbodiesel four cylinder engine gets tuned up to 224 PS and 550 Nm of torque, something only the South African version got previously. This is complemented by sportier tuning for the automatic gearbox.

The Aussie Hilux GR Sport also gets wider tracks – 140 mm wider at the front and 155 mm wider at the rear, with redesigned wishbones and a reinforced rear axle. Monotube shocks with higher damping force and heat-dissipation capacity paired with stiffer coil springs provide increased stability through reduced roll angle and more precise steering. The Hilux GR Sport also gets bigger brake discs.

Inside, the cockpit gets a monochromatic black theme with bright sports pedals and red seatbelts. GR branding is featured inside and out, including on the steering wheel, headrests, red brake callipers, and exterior badges.

In Malaysia, the range-topping Hilux variant is the Rogue, which is configured with a 204 hp, 500 Nm 2.8 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine. With the Ranger Raptor going petrol with the latest iteration, do you think there will be a place for a Hilux GR Sport for diesel fans?

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2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport – South African model gets uprated 2.8 litre turbodiesel with 224 PS, 550 Nm

In Cars, International News, Toyota / By Mick Chan / 15 February 2022 5:23 pm / 2 comments

European market 2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport

The Toyota Hilux is popular for its utility, to say the least, and the recent broadening of the GR Sport brand’s scope to include the pick-up truck only serves to further broaden its appeal. The current generation has already been given the GR Sport variant in various forms for different markets, with Europe, Thailand and Japan getting their own versions.

There’s one more that has surfaced, this time for the South African market. This one sets itself apart thanks to its 2.8 litre turbodiesel engine that has been tuned to produce 224 PS and 550 Nm of torque, or 20 PS and 50 Nm more than the Thai and European namesakes. This makes the Hilux GR Sport the second most powerful in the South African market after the VW Amarok, packing 258 hp and 600 Nm from a 3.0L V6.

As depicted in a report by South African publication The Citizen, the GR Sport variant for this market most closely resembles the European version of the performance-kitted dual-cab pick-up truck, where the classic Toyota script is used in the centre of the angular grille frame. Also used here are black overfenders instead of the body-coloured items on the Japanese and Thai-market versions.

European market 2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport

In addition to the more potent turbodiesel powerplant, the South African Hilux GR Sport also gets wheels which appear similar to those on the European Hilux GR Sport, albeit in a slightly darker finish. Elsewhere, the South African version similarly gets GR Sport badging and black exterior mirror covers, and adds a sports bar for the rear cargo tray.

Pricing and final specification for the Hilux GR Sport in South Africa have yet to be finalised, as Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) aims to have the Hilux GR Sport rolled out in May this year. “Its power output of 165 kW (224 PS) of and 550 Nm of torque is the one feature that really stands out. More power is exactly what the customers want,” said TSAM senior VP of sales Leon Theron.

In Malaysia, the range-topping Hilux variant is the Rogue, which is configured with the 1G-FTV 2.8 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine producing the aforementioned 204 PS and 500 Nm of torque, with an automatic limited-slip differential on the rear axle.

GALLERY: 2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport, European market

GALLERY: 2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport, Japanese market

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2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport dual-cab pick-up variant for Europe; limited-slip differential, revised suspension

In Cars, International News, Toyota / By Mick Chan / 4 January 2022 12:13 pm / 0 comment

Toyota has announced the GR Sport version of its European-market Hilux dual-cab pick-up truck, specified with revised suspension and driveline components. The famed pick-up truck model already wears the GR Sport moniker elsewhere, namely in the brand’s native Japan as well as in Thailand, though the European model sports a number of key differences.

The classic Toyota script on the front end of the European Hilux GR Sport is placed within the front grille of a different, more angular surrounding frame, and the Toyota script itself is located on the grille’s carbon-fibre-look crossmember, rather than above it as on the Japanese-market Hilux GR Sport.

Further differentiating the European Hilux GR Sport from its Japanese and Thai namesakes, visually at least, is the application of black overfenders, as compared to body-coloured items on its Far East counterparts. The contrasting black finish is also applied to the mirror casings, side steps and tailgate handle, with GR Sport badging topping the exterior look. LED headlamps may also be specified, depending on country.

Also different are its wheels, here being a set of two-tone machined finish items measuring 17 inches in diameter and fitted with all-terrain tyres. For comparison, the wheels on the Thai and Japanese Hilux GR Sport are of a singular black finish.

Chassis upgrades include new monotube dampers as well as new, uprated front springs. The monotube dampers each employ larger piston area for improved damping performance, enabling quicker response and better heat dissipation. The improvements also help to maintain the quality of damping oil inside the dampers when the vehicle is driven in rough conditions, says Toyota.

The new front coil springs and dampers are matched with retuned rear leaf springs and new bushes, and when compared to the regular Hilux range, offers improved steering response, straight-line performance, a flat ride and a more reassuring roll and feel for rear grip, says Toyota; the faster responses to high-frequency vibrations and improved damping also aid in body control, it adds.

The interior, too, has been given a dash of the GR-themed aesthetic to denote the sportier nature of this Hilux variant. The GR Sport gets new sports seats for its front-row occupants, and are trimmed in a combination of black leather and perforated synthetic suede with contrast stitching.

GR Sport branding also features on the seat backs, floor mats, starter button as well as on the information display graphics, while further GR Sport trim include carbon-fibre style inserts, a red trim line spanning the width of the instrument panel and door panel lighting in blue. Here, the GR Sport Hilux borrows from the European High-grade trim level in including dual-zone air-conditioning.

Last but not least, the European-market Hilux GR Sport is powered by the now-familiar 2.8 litre turbodiesel engine that outputs 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque, which are sent to the wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission and an automatic limited-slip differential. This gives the European Hilux GR Sport a braked trailer towing rating of 3.5 tonnes, and a payload capacity of one tonne.

The European-market Toyota Hilux GR Sport will arrive at dealers across the continent in the northern hemisphere summer of 2022, according to Toyota. As for the Hilux in Malaysia, the pick-up truck was updated in November, bringing dual-zone air-conditioning to the 2.4V and 2.8 Rogue variants, the latter packing the 1G-FTV 2.8 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with outputs similar to this Hilux GR Sport.

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2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport now launched in Japan – sportier exterior, tuned suspension; priced at RM159k

In Cars, International News, Toyota / By Gerard Lye / 11 October 2021 2:13 pm / 1 comment

In April this year, Thailand welcomed the Toyota Hilux GR Sport, which gets a number of aesthetic enhancements to give the pick-up truck a sportier look. The model has now been launched in Japan as well, although it is a little different from the one sold in Thailand.

Before getting into the differences, let’s first focus on what both versions have in common. The Hilux GR Sport features a new grille with the Toyota script in place of the regular logo, the latter being something we’ve seen on the Land Cruiser GR Sport.

The grille is accompanied by a new frame and overfenders on the vehicle’s sides (with black trim), which are painted in body colour. A redesigned bumper, also in white, is part of the appearance package too, but unlike the Thailand version, the fog lamp surrounds are a lot more subtle in size.

Other additions include a black rear bumper, plenty of GR Sport badges, red-paint front brake calipers (the rear drums are kept intact) and 18-inch six-split spoke two-tone alloy wheels. Items found on the Thailand version but are absent on the Japan-market model are the body decals and black sports bar.

Inside, you’ll find front sports seats trimmed in synthetic leather with GR logos on the headrests as well as suede and red upper bolsters. Elsewhere, there’s a GR-branded steering wheel (with a red 12 o’clock marker), engine start button and instrument cluster, along with red contrast stitching, aluminium sports pedals and a GR-badged key fob.

While the aesthetics are not equal to the Thailand-market model, the Hilux GR Sport in Japan does get a tuned suspension that is said to improve “steering response and realises flat and comfortable driving.” No engine changes, with the 2GD-FTV 2.4 litre turbodiesel continuing to deliver 150 PS (148 hp) and 400 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed auto and part-time four-wheel drive system.

The Hilux GR Sport is based on the existing Z grade sold in Japan, so it gets things like dual-zone climate control (this is a new update for the Z grade) and keyless entry, with further improvements like a powered driver’ seat, an eight-inch touchscreen head unit and paddle shifters. Pricing for the new model is 4.312 million yen (RM159,484), which is inclusive of consumption tax.

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2021 Toyota Hilux GR Sport launched in Thailand – high- and low-rider versions, 2.8L, RM113k-RM166k

In Cars, International News, Toyota / By Jonathan Lee / 25 August 2021 11:33 am / 4 comments

Toyota is expanding its GR Sport brand to various regions worldwide – including in Southeast Asia, where the look-faster label is already offered in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The latest model to be introduced in ASEAN is the Hilux GR Sport, which has just been launched in Thailand today.

Tapping into the lucrative modified pick-up truck market, the GR Sport has been developed locally by Thai engineers and is being offered in double cab high-rider and low-rider configurations – the latter being especially popular in the Land of Smiles. The more conventional high-rider model is based on the range-topping Rocco variant (sold as the Rogue here) but with a few embellishments of its own.

First of all, the Rocco’s grey body cladding, grille frame and overfenders have now been finished in body colour for a sportier aesthetic, while the black and red body side and tailgate graphics are an homage to the liveries of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s rally cars.

Added to that is a new grille with the Toyota script replacing the usual interlocked-oval badge, similar to the new Land Cruiser GR Sport. The front skid plate is also a new black and body-coloured unit, while the fog lights feature larger gloss black surrounds. Rounding off the changes are the unique black sports bar, 18-inch six-split spoke two-tone alloy wheels and a smattering of GR badges on the front, sides and rear.

The low-rider version, meanwhile, is based on the Z Edition and is said to be inspired by Super GT cars. It gets a sportier bodykit with deeper chin spoilers, side skirts and a diffuser-like rear bumper, plus fake front bumper corner intakes, different body graphics and 17-inch black alloy wheels with a silver rim. Both models also get black door mirrors and red GR-badged front brake callipers.

Inside, both trucks receive a GR-badged leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching and 12 o’clock marker, smoked grey trim, alloy pedals and black leather-and-suede upholstery with an embroidered GR logo. They also get the same unique instrument cluster design and GR startup screen, with the high-rider also receiving a GR-badged starter button.

Both models are powered by the existing 1GD-FTV 2.8 litre mill churning out 204 PS and 500 Nm between 1,600 and 2,800 rpm. This is the first for the low-rider, which had previously only been offered with the 150 PS/400 Nm 2GD-FTV 2.4 litre mill.

A six-speed automatic gearbox comes as standard, with the low-rider offered in rear-wheel-drive form and the high-rider with four-wheel drive. The low-rider has also been lowered by 23 mm, which Toyota says improves aerodynamic efficiency and reduces body roll; the high-rider instead gets new monotube dampers.

Pricing ranges from 889,000 baht (RM113,800) for the GR Sport 4×2 low-rider to 1,299,000 baht (RM166,300) for the GR Sport 4×4 high-rider. Toyota has also announced some changes for the greater Hilux range for 2021, including the larger 2.8 litre engine option for the commercial-oriented single cab model for the first time.

Moving up, the Z Edition gets LED head- and taillights on higher-end models – including the GR Sport low-rider you see here. These lamps are also now fitted as standard on the high-riders, as well as a 360-degree camera system, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert on the 2.8 litre, Rocco and GR Sport high-rider variants.

GALLERY: 2021 Toyota Hilux GR Sport, Thai-spec

GALLERY: 2021 Toyota Hilux Z Edition, Thai-spec

GALLERY: 2021 Toyota Hilux GR Sport 2.8 4×4 AT live in Thailand

GALLERY: 2021 Toyota Hilux GR Sport 2.8 4×2 AT live in Thailand

GALLERY: 2021 Toyota Hilux Z Edition live in Thailand

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