The Toyota Hilux GR Sport exists in several guises in different markets – we’ve seen versions in Europe, Thailand, Japan and South Africa before, but this Australian version is by far the most hardcore and the closest it’s come to being a A version of the Ranger Raptor competitor.
Under the hood, a 2.8-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine is tuned to 224 PS and 550 Nm of torque, previously only available on South African versions. This is complemented by the sporty tuning of the automatic transmission.
The Aussie Hilux GR Sport also has a wider track – 140mm wider at the front and 155mm wider at the rear, with redesigned wishbone and reinforced rear axle. Monotube shock absorbers with higher damping force and cooling capacity combine with stiffer coil springs to improve stability through reduced roll angle and more precise steering. The Hilux GR Sport also gets larger brake discs.
Inside, the cockpit features a monochrome black theme with bright sport pedals and red seat belts. GR branding is featured inside and out, including the steering wheel, headrests, red brake calipers and exterior badging.
In Malaysia, the top Hilux variant is the Rogue, which comes with a 204hp, 500Nm 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel. With the latest Ranger Raptor using a petrol engine, do you think the Hilux GR Sport will have a place for diesel fans?