This is the new Toyota Hilux GR Sport II - a performance pickup that has well and truly been built for the tough stuff.
Having been inspired by its Dakar Rally-winning efforts, Toyota released the Hilux GR Sport last year - and you can read our review of it here.
While it might have looked like a sports version of the familiar workhorse pickup, it didn’t quite cut it as a performance pickup. It hit the right note with buyers, though, as Toyota is preparing for the next iteration, the cunningly named Hilux GR Sport II.
There have been some significant changes in this second edition, with Toyota promising that the new model will ‘reach new heights of performance, ride comfort and imposing design’, with suspension upgrades, bodywork improvements and styling changes inside and out to fulfil that brief.
The new model sees an increase in ride height, with the GR Sport II gaining an extra 20mm over the current pickup. That might not sound much, but it will make a difference to off-roaders, with ground clearance up to 330mm and an increased approach angle of 30 degrees. The front and rear tracks have been widened, too, by 140mm and 150mm, respectively.
New monotube dampers replace the twin-blade units that controlled the outgoing model's wheels, offering improved performance and response times during challenging drives.
There are also lighter 17-inch alloys with all-terrain tyres, and disc brakes replace the rear drum brakes fitted to current Hilux models.
The mechanical changes don’t extend to the engine; the same 2.8-litre turbo diesel lump found in the Hilux Invincible and GR Sport has been installed in the new pickup, producing 204hp and 500Nm of torque. The six-speed auto box drives power to all four wheels, which can be changed with the push of a button to a fuel-efficient rear-wheel-drive mode for on-road use.
Toyota hasn’t released performance figures, but as the engine hasn’t changed, there’s no reason to think that performance will be significantly different to the current Hilux, so expect 0-62mph in around 10.7 seconds, with a maximum speed of 107mph.
Keeping much of the engine and drivetrain the same does mean that the GR Sport II can still carry a tonne of cargo in the back and tow 3.5 tonnes behind it, unlike the sportier but less practical Ford Ranger Raptor.
The truck has been given a rally-inspired makeover to separate it from the regular Hilux range.
The most striking change is with the grille — now covered in a black mesh — with ‘TOYOTA’ in bold, capital letters across the nose. The side steps, mirrors, door handles, sports bar and rear bumper also match the dark grille styling.
A revised front bumper with new fog lamp bezels reduces turbulence in the wheel arches, improving aerodynamic efficiency. The sports bar has also been restyled to improve the aerodynamic performance.
In the cabin, the black synthetic suede and perforated leather sports seats are finished with silver stitching and the GR logo. The dashboard, also black, has flashes of red highlights.
There are references to the GR Sport’s motorsport heritage, with red seat belts, paddle shifts and aluminium pedals. The information display and instrumentation feature the bold GR logo to confirm you’re in something a little different.
The infotainment system gets an overhaul, too, with the 8.0-inch screen hosting the firm’s Smart Connect+ system, replacing the unloved and somewhat dated Touch 2 system in the current Hilux range. It includes cloud-based navigation — which includes an offline mode for when there's no signal — and both Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, all presented in a highly usable smartphone-like interface.
If the new GR Sport II makes it onto your shortlist, there’ll be quite a wait; first deliveries aren’t expected until the second half of 2024, with orders being taken earlier in 2024. There’s no official word on pricing yet, but cash buyers shouldn’t expect much change from £45,000 plus VAT.
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