Inspired by its Dakar Rally performance, Toyota is launching a sports version of its highly-regarded Hilux pickup.
Featuring an updated and more sporting design both inside and out, the Hilux GR Sport will offer more than just cosmetic upgrades as the suspension is getting an overhaul too.
The result, Toyota promises, will be a pickup truck that’s more road focussed than ever, providing a more rewarding driving experience with confidence-inspiring handling and improved control, responsiveness and grip feel.
“The Toyota Hilux has a legendary reputation for toughness and reliability. This is true not only for our race car, but also for the production models, including the GR Sport,” explains Nasser Al-Attiyah, Toyota Gazoo Racing’s driver, multiple World Cross-Country Rally champion and three-times Dakar winner.
“This new model, which was inspired by our iconic Dakar race cars, brings new levels of driving experience both on-road and when going off-road. It truly encapsulates the spirit of our race cars, bringing a part of Dakar to buyers all over the world.”
Suspension Upgrades
While the suspension on the current Hilux was significantly re-engineered for its launch in December 2020 - it got longer leaf springs with new dampers and bushes at the rear for a more comfortable ride - but the GR Sport model takes things further.
New front springs with monotube shock absorbers are a key part of the improvements. The monotube design creates a larger piston which, in turn, provides improved damping performance. It reacts more quickly to shocks and manages heat dissipation better to give more consistency in how it handles the road surface. Combined with stiffer springs, the truck should offer noticeable handling improvements.
As well as making the Hilux sharper on the road, the changes improve ride quality - an issue for all pickup trucks - making it the most road-focussed pickup Toyota has made for the UK.
Off-road capabilities will only be marginally impacted, but the Hilux GR Sport will be fitted with hill descent control, ‘Active’ traction control and an automatic limited-slip differential to enable drivers to make progress through even the trickiest of terrain.
Sports Styling
The bold front end of the Hilux is revised for the GR Sport, with a black front mesh grille surrounded by a gloss back trapezoidal border. The Toyota badge has been removed, replaced by bold TOYOTA text across the centre, harking back to iconic Hilux trucks of the 1980s.
Larger front fog light surrounds amplify the bold aesthetic, while 17-inch alloy wheels with a contrast black and machined metal finish toughen up the stance. The dark theme continues with black door mirror casings, side steps, over-fenders and tailgate handle.
One bit of colour has been added; the new shock absorbers and springs are painted in bright red, standing out against the dark shading of the Hilux GR Sport.
Interior Touches
A sports tuck needs sports seats, so the Hilux GR Sport will boast a pair of supportive front seats covered in black leather with synthetic suede trim, topped with red perforations and contrast stitching.
Some faux-carbon fibre tops the dashboard, with a bold red deco line running along the width of the fascia. There’s also some GR Sport branding in the seatbacks, carpet mats, starter button and even in the information display animation graphic.
Beyond that, it’s much the same as the top-spec Invincible X that the GR Sport is based on. The driver gets steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters to allow for manual gear selection when you want to override the automatic gearbox, while aluminium pedals add to the sporting sensation.
Specification levels will mirror those of the Invincible X, so expect LED headlights, keyless entry and push-button start, dual-zone air conditioning and a thumping JBL sound system, amongst other items.
Commercial Credentials
Despite its sporting prowess, the Hilux GR Sport has lost none of its commercial appeal as it’s still able to carry a payload of over one tonne. This is an important measure, allowing some business users to reclaim the VAT element of their lease or purchase. The 3.5-tonne towing ability remains in place too.
The same 2.8-litre engine is fitted under the high bonnet, producing 204hp alongside 500Nm of torque, making it amongst the most powerful models on the market. Despite the power available, fuel consumption figures are broadly similar to the less powerful 2.4-litre engine fitted to some other Hilux models, leaving no economy penalty for picking the sporty option.
As with all other pickups able to carry over a tonne of cargo, company users will face a fixed BIK rate of £3,500 for 2020/21, which is taxed at your marginal tax rate. For a 20% rate taxpayer, that means an annual tax bill of just £700.
Hilux GR Sport Availability
The Toyota Hilux GR Sport will arrive in UK showrooms in the summer, with a retail on-the-road price tag of £44,995. Order books will open in late January.
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