A toughened-up HiLux that appears to be the brand’s flagship GR Sport has been spotted testing in disguise in Thailand, setting the countdown clock for the model’s arrival in Australia, where it will meet the might of the Ford Ranger Raptor in the battle for dual-cab dominance.
So what do we know so far about Toyota’s entrant into the tough ute club, apart from the wider, tougher looks we can see in these images published by kurdistan_automotive_blog_?
While the new model will be built in Thailand – where this testing model has been snapped – it will be covered in Australia’s fingerprints, with Toyota’s Melbourne design and engineering centres, like the special-edition utes that have come before it.
That should be enough to set it apart from the GR-S models we’ve already seen launched around the world, including special-editions in places like Europe, Thailand and the Phillipines.
The most likely candidate as a base car for Australia – and the one we really want – is the South African version of the GR-S HiLux, which is also the only version so far to receive a power boost as well as new equipment.
While HiLux’s engine hasn’t changed, South African GR-S has been tuned up to produce more power and torque, with 165kW and 550Nm on offer from its 2.8-litre turbo-diesel power plant.
That’s enough to match the outgoing Ford Ranger Raptor, but will still be shaded by the new model, which is fitted with an all-new 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol EcoBoost powertrain that delivers a massive 292kW and 583Nm.
The new HiLux GR Sport also dials up the performance and responsiveness, with new monotube shock absorbers and new front springs, with the brand promising the the “dedicated suspension enhancements deliver an even more rewarding driving experience, with increased control, responsiveness and grip feel.”
Another possibility is a combination of the GR-S ute’s engine enhancements, along with the recently announced updates to the Rouge – a 140mm wider track both front and rear, a 20mm boost to ground clearance, and an “overhauled” suspension set-up, with the front stabiliser bar length extended and a new rear stabiliser bar – and off-road specific upgrades.
We expect to see the HiLux GR Sport touch down in Australia in 2023, where it will act as something of a send off for the current-generation HiLux, which should be replaced in 2024 or 2025.
“In a further upgrade to the HiLux range, Toyota plans to launch a new apex off-road variant, replacing the HiLux Rugged X. Details, including launch timing, will be announced in due course,” the brand has said.
Keyword: Can the Toyota HiLux GR Sport really take on the Ford Ranger Raptor? What to expect from Toyota Australia's toughest truck ever