This new grade has been revealed just as Toyota Gazoo Racing begins its campaign for victory in the 2022 Dakar Rally with its new racing Hilux. The Hilux GR Sport grade is designed to capture the imagination of customers whose active lifestyles go well beyond the everyday, giving them an ideal vehicle for adventure journeys and sporting pursuits. Dedicated suspension features have been added to deliver a rewarding driving experience, with increased control, responsiveness and grip feel. A range of GR Sport themed exterior and interior design features reinforce the vehicle’s special quality and appeal.
Toyota Gazoo Racing driver Nassar Al-Attiyah, a three-time Dakar winner and multiple World Cross-Country Rally Champion, commented: “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 new GR Sport. This new model, inspired by our Dakar race cars, takes the driving experience to another level both on and off-road. It encapsulates the spirit of our race cars, bringing a part of Dakar to customers all over the world."
The New Toyota Hilux GR Sport
The Toyota Hilux is one of the legends of the Dakar Rally and a past outright winner of the world’s toughest race. The success Toyota Gazoo Racing has achieved in this extreme competition has inspired the creation of the new Hilux GR Sport grade.
Re-tuned suspension
A key feature in the upgraded suspension system is the introduction of new monotube shock absorbers and new front springs.
This design creates a larger piston area to provide improved damping performance, with faster response and better heat dissipation. In addition, it helps to maintain the performance quality of the oil inside the unit when driving in tough conditions.
The front coil springs have been stiffened and both these and the new shocks are painted red to make a stand-out statement of the Hilux GR Sport’s special character.
This design creates a larger piston area to provide improved damping performance, with faster response and better heat dissipation. In addition, it helps to maintain the performance quality of the oil inside the unit when driving in tough conditions.
The front coil springs have been stiffened and both these and the new shocks are painted red to make a stand-out statement of the Hilux GR Sport’s special character.
Uncompromised performance
The GR Sport grade is powered by a 2.8-litre engine, introduced to the range in 2020. This delivers 204hp/150 kW and 500Nm of torque and is matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Exclusively available as a double cab version, the GR Sport grade maintains the impressive load-carrying capabilities of the Hilux, with a payload of up to one tonne and towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes.
Exclusively available as a double cab version, the GR Sport grade maintains the impressive load-carrying capabilities of the Hilux, with a payload of up to one tonne and towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes.
GR Sport styling
Styling treatments inside and out showcase the Hilux GR Sport’s special character. The powerful frontal design is amplified by new, larger front fog light surrounds. The 17-inch alloy wheels have a contrast black and machined finish and are fitted with all-terrain tyres.
The black theme is carried through in the door mirror casings, side steps, over-fenders and tailgate handle, plus a sports bar, fitted as standard. These elements throw the bright red of the new shocks and springs into sharp contrast.
The black theme is carried through in the door mirror casings, side steps, over-fenders and tailgate handle, plus a sports bar, fitted as standard. These elements throw the bright red of the new shocks and springs into sharp contrast.
Stylish, inside and out
In the cabin there are new sports front seats in a combination of black leather and synthetic suede with red perforations and contrast stitching. The GR Sport branding is featured on the seatbacks, carpet mats, starter button and the information display animation graphic. The driver can use paddle controls for manual shift selection and aluminium sports pedals are fitted. The look is enhanced with carbon fibre-style trim inserts, a red deco line across the width of the instrument panel and blue door panel illumination.
Equipment includes a premium JBL sound system, navigation, heated front and rear seats and a Panoramic View Monitor which provides an all-round view of the vehicle’s location for precise manoeuvring over rough terrain and in tight spaces.
Equipment includes a premium JBL sound system, navigation, heated front and rear seats and a Panoramic View Monitor which provides an all-round view of the vehicle’s location for precise manoeuvring over rough terrain and in tight spaces.
Orders opening January 2022. Please contact your local dealer for more details.
Images are not UK specification
Updated: 5th September 2022
Information correct at time of publication.
Information correct at time of publication.
