Toyota Hilux gets new Dakar-inspired makeover
Meet the GR Sport II - Toyota's rival to the mighty Ford Ranger Raptor
Toyota can hardly be blamed for cashing in on the Hilux’s considerable rally raid success. If you need something tough on four wheels, you buy a truck. When manufacturers want to prove their truck’s toughness, they enter it in Dakar - and hope to beat the Hilux. Little wonder, then, that after this year’s one-two, there’s a new GR Sport II Hilux inspired by the rally truck.
If not quite as extreme an overhaul as something like a Ranger Raptor, the GR Sport is a little more involved than just natty trim on a pick-up. All Hiluxes are now mild hybrid, the venerable 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel lent a hand by a 7.6kg, 48V lithium-ion battery stuffed under the rear seats. It can provide a maximum boost of 16hp and 48lb ft, is fully protected against water ingress - wading depth remains 700mm - and is said to improve fuel economy and CO2 by five per cent ('mild' being the operative word). But swifter start stop will be a boon, low-speed controllability is said to be better thanks to a lower idle speed (just 600rpm) and these mild hybrids often seem to contribute more than the naked stats would suggest. Interestingly, too, Toyota says the MHEV is compatible with HVO100 diesel, non-fossil fuel.
Anyway, the GR Sport makeover. Toyota suggests this is another example of Gazoo Racing applying ‘the experience and knowledge gained in top-level motorsport to help create ever-better cars for the road’, the GR Sport II representing nothing less than the ‘best driving Hilux yet’. While this isn’t quite the remote-reservoir-damped, beadlock-wheeled rally raid truck for the road that we would have wished for, there are some cool revisions. Tracks are significantly wider than stock, up 135mm at the front and 155mm at the rear, which will benefit stability and roll, with new monotube dampers positioned further out as well - they promise ‘faster response in tough conditions’. There’s a lighter anti-roll bar, while both approach (29 degrees) and departure (30 degrees) improve on the regular Hilux, which boasts 29 and 26 respectively. Toyota even suggests that aerodynamic performance has been improved, for what that’s worth, thanks to a new grille as well as the design of the arch extensions, deck cover and (lighter) wheels.
There’ll be no mistaking the GR Sport for a plain old diesel Hilux, though again it’s not quite as overt as the fast Ford. Where the ordinary truck features the Toyota logo in the grille, the red one has ‘TOYOTA’ emblazoned across it, with GR badges dotted around as well so it can be pals with the Yaris in the garage. There’s red for the brake calipers and even the suspension, with black accents for the mirrors, door handles and side steps. Toyota says there’s ‘even more impact’ to this look than stock.
Red and black is the predominant theme inside as well, albeit with some smart aluminium paddles and pedals. They really weren’t joking about the improved handling, either, as the seats are leather and suede sports chairs that should ‘minimise sliding when the occupants experience higher lateral forces.’ New inside all Hiluxes is Multi-Terrain Select, which offers Sand, Mud, Rock, Dirt, Deep Snow and Auto settings for the four-wheel drive and suspension. Again, no Baja mode - or Dakar, even - though the GR Sport II looks fairly willing to cut loose in the scrub. So it’ll definitely be worth a try at rugby training as well.
While UK spec and availability hasn’t been confirmed for the moment, our penchant for pick-ups ought to mean the mild hybrid GR Sport II is here sooner rather than later. Or you could bag an original for less than £40k from the PH classifieds. Whichever, nothing much is going to stand in your way behind the wheel of a Hilux.
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