2023 Toyota Hilux GR Sport ready for Australian market  

Australia’s unique terrain makes it an ideal market for pickups, the latest of which is Toyota’s rally-inspired Hilux GR Sport for the 2023 model year. 

Toyota has a new contender in the performance pickup segment for one of its key markets

“Hilux GR Sport draws on the spirit of Toyota’s Dakar success as a hardcore 4WD that will appeal to customers seeking the quintessential off-road version of Australia’s best-selling vehicle,” according to Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia Vice President for Sales, Marketing, and Franchise Operations. 

“It has been designed to turn heads with aggressive in-your-face styling that’s reinforced by a healthy performance boost, enhanced high-speed handling, and even better grip on dirt roads.” 

Key to the new Hilux GR Sport’s performance is the same 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine that inhabits the engine bay of the standard model, but with performance tweaks by way of revised turbo-supercharging and fuel injection control. 

It runs on a tweaked version of the standard Hilux's 2.8-liter turbodiesel mill along with drivetrain and suspension improvements 

These result in a 10-percent increase in output, yielding 221 horsepower and 550 Nm of torque, making the GR Sport trim the most powerful Hilux yet for Australia. Toyota has endowed the accompanying 6-speed automatic gearbox with sportier tuning along with an expanded lock-up area, improving acceleration and overtaking with the benefit of paddle shifters.  

Handling has also been upgraded through a redesigned wishbone suspension, stiffer coil springs, and a reinforced rear axle. Dedicated monotube shock absorbers deliver increased damping force and better heat-dissipation capacity. These work with a wider stance as the vehicle’s front and rear tracks have been increased by 140mm and 155mm, respectively. 

Of course, the Hilux GR Sport wouldn’t be a performance variant if it didn’t look the part. The exterior styling references the vehicle’s motorsport roots, with a strong upright front intake maximizing cooling area while showcasing the signature GR mesh grille. 

The interior bears Toyota's GR branding 

The corners of the front bumper seemingly flow into the satin black fender flares housing 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. Off-road running gear include a skid plate, rock rails, and red rear recovery points. Toyota says that the Hilux GR Sport’s exterior body parts were the product of wind tunnel testing for aerodynamic efficiency.  

Heading into the cabin, bright sports pedals and red seatbelts contrast with the mostly black interior. Interrupting the color monotony is the prominent GR branding on areas such as the steering wheel, headrests, and tub-liner. 

This could be the latest challenger to the Ford Ranger Raptor 

Developed through the cooperation of Toyota’s Australian, Japanese, Thai, and Latin American engineers, the 2023 Toyota Hilux GR Sport is expected to take the fight to the Ford Ranger Raptor. The latest Hilux trim level will be manufactured in Thailand with finishing touches added at Toyota Australia’s Victoria facility. It has been confirmed for launch Down Under by the second half of 2023. 

Will the new Toyota Hilux GR Sport be something you’d like to see on our roads? Welcome the new year with news of more new releases at Philkotse.com.