W R A P S OFF GR SPORT HILUX

TOYOTA AUSTRALIA’S ‘DAKAR-INSPIRED’ 2023 GR SPORT HILUX LAUNCHED

Fresh off the back of another Dakar win, TOYOTA Australia has pulled the covers off the GR Sport variant of its popular Hilux mid-size ute Adding increased levels of power and torque to the wider track and fourwheel disc-brake package of the 2022 Hilux Rogue, to create what the company calls a ‘Dakar-inspired’ package for its top-of-the-range model

Toyota has tweaked the 1GD 2 8-litre diesel engine with revised turbocharger and diesel injection to produce 165kW and 550Nm, making it the most powerful four-cylinder diesel-fuelled mid-size ute on the market. The standard Aisin sixspeed automatic transmission has also been fettled to give it a more sporting character with a wider torque converter lock-up range, while shift paddles have been added behind the steering wheel for easier manual gear selection.

More than just powertrain upgrades, the GR Sport gets the 140mm front and 155mm rear wider wheel track as debuted under the Rogue, with new front control arms and reinforced rear differential housing As mentioned, the GR Sport also gets the Rogue’s excellent four-wheel discbrake package that impressed us when we drove it back in 2022.

The 2023 GR Sport Hilux rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and all-terrain tyres, while GR-specific monotube shock absorbers and stiffer coil springs enhance the dynamics of the one-tonne ute

Underneath, pundits will find a metal skid plate, rock rails and rear recovery points

The GR Sport gets a new radiator grille, wheel arch flares and a revised front bumper outside, while inside there are sports pedals, red seatbelts and GR branding on the steering wheel and headrests – woo-hoo!

“Thanks to the extensive involvement of our local designers and engineers, Hilux GR Sport is a fun-to-drive vehicle that will bring new capabilities and excitement to the adventure lifestyles of Australian customers,” said Toyota Australia vice president sales, marketing and franchise