Australia’s best-selling ute is about to get a whole lot better with Toyota announcing the price of the first ever rally-inspired HiLux GR Sport starting from $73,990 before on road costs. Due to hit Australian showrooms in September, this is the most expensive model in the HiLux, and the most expensive HiLux ever, costing over $4200 more than the existing top of the range Toyota HiLux Rogue which is priced at $70,760 before on-road costs.
The Hilux GR Sport has many new standout “Dakar” rally inspired changes which include performance and visual upgrades inside and out over the existing Hilux range. Under the bonnet sits Toyota’s venerable 2.8L four-cylinder turbo diesel producing 165kW of power and 550Nm of torque. These numbers come in at 15kW and 50Nm more than other members of the HiLux lineup such as the SR5 and Rogue models.
A 6-speed automatic transmission comes as standard too, and Toyota says it has also been tuned to handle the extra power and torque. Despite the upgrades in the drivetrain, there is no increase in the braked tow capacity of 3500kg.
The HiLux GR Sport will share the same “wide track” platform as the HiLux Rogue, which has a 15mm increase in height and a track width increase of 135mm in the front, and a 155mm increase in the rear over the standard HiLux range. With the increase in track width over the standard HiLux, large black fenders have been fitted which also feature new aero ducts on the front. They’re cleverly designed to reduce turbulence in the wheel arches.
The GR Sport has also had some serious revisions made to it on the suspension front. Different front coils and retuned rear leaf springs should make the GR Sport handle better on-road, while the new KYB monotone shock absorbers deliver improved ride control. Also fitted is a reinforced rear axle for those hard-hitting tow jobs. Toyota has removed the rear sway bar to give better axle articulation and ground clearance when heading off-road.
Toyota has also fitted larger 265/65R17 Bridgestone Dueler AT tyres wrapped in new 17 inch “Dakar” inspired Black wheels and disk brakes feature on all four corners including large 338mm x 28mm four-piston fixed calipers in the front and 312mm x18mm single-piston floating calipers in the rear and are painted red.
A re-designed front bumper featuring new fog lamp bezels and a silver lower moulding gives the HiLux GR Sport a more imposing look, while a black rear bumper with red recovery points complete the more rugged look. Underneath the HiLux GR Sport the underbody protection has been beefed up to include a newly-designed skid plate and heavy duty powder coated rock rails which replace the sidesteps to reduce the likelihood of damage when heading deep off-road.
Inside, Toyota has given the HiLux GR Sport a new rally-inspired leather wrapped steering wheel equipped with paddle shifters, a red centre stripe and a GR logo. Unique front sports seats come upholstered with a combination of leather accented and suede trim with grey stitching and sporty red seatbelts.
Aluminium pedals, new ‘Technical Mesh’ dashboard trim, a unique GR sports shift lever, all weather floor mats and a 9 speaker JBL premium audio system round off the interior changes.
The HiLux GR Sport comes in five GAZOO Racing palette colour options:
- Glacier White
- Frosted White
- Stunning Silver
- Eclipse Black
- Feverish Red
The HiLux can be optioned with a black roof when selected with either Glacier white, Frosted White and Ferverish Red at an extra cost.
Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for the latest automotive news and reviews, and our review of the HiLux GR Sport later this year.
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