By Otsile Kadiege

Toyota Australia recently welcomed their first-ever HiLux with GR-Sport treatment. Compared to the HiLux GR-S in Thailand and South Africa, Australia’s version boasts unique exterior styling inspired by the Dakar HiLux and like the Hilux GR-S in SA it gains more power, torque and numerous mechanical upgrades.

Exterior

Outside, the Australian HiLux GR Sport boasts beefed up looks accentuated by a strong upright grille, designed for maximum cooling area, draws attention to the signature GR grille mesh and TOYOTA lettering. Exterior body parts have been sculpted in the wind tunnel for aerodynamic efficiency.

The wider stance is the backbone of the Dakar-inspired design, giving a strong, stable, and muscular image with prominent satin-black over-fenders that seamlessly integrate into the bumper. It rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres while its off-road credentials are further reinforced by the addition of a skid plate, rock rails and red rear recovery points.

Its exterior dimensions are as follows: 5320 mm length, 2020 mm width, 1880 height mm and a wheelbase of 3085 mm. The approach and departure angles are 30 and 26 degrees, respectively. The new platform adopts wider tracks – extended 140mm front and 155mm rear – with redesigned wishbones and a reinforced rear axle to cater for the most demanding driving conditions.

Interior

Inside, the monochromatic black theme is set off with bright sports pedals and red seatbelts. GR branding is featured on the steering wheel, headrests, red brake callipers, exterior badges – and even embossed into the tub-liner.

Performance

Like the GR-S HiLux in SA, the Australian version is powered by a 2.8-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine. Power and torque have been boosted by 10 per cent to 165kW and 550Nm, courtesy of revised turbo-supercharging and fuel-injection control. The HiLux GR-S also has a sportier tuned the automatic transmission. It also features dedicated monotube shock absorbers with higher damping force and heat-dissipation capacity, stiffer coil springs and an optimal front-rear suspension balance.

The Australian version of Toyota’s HiLux GR-S is quite a looker and will also be available in Argentina. We’ll definitely like to see this version on SA roads.