Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) will be having a busy year as it plans to introduce new models throughout 2021. According to a report, TMP will be launching a total of 10 cars this year including the Vios GR-S, the facelifted Innova, and the GR Yaris.
Things get more interesting when the report stated that TMP will be launching the Hilux GR and the Fortuner GR in the third quarter of 2021. For the uninitiated, GR stands for Gazoo Racing, which is Toyota’s motorsport division. With that in mind, you can expect that a more performance-oriented Hilux and Fortuner will soon be available in the Philippine market. But, let’s not gets our hopes high just yet.
Toyota GR Hilux in Dakar Rally
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As of this writing, details about the Hilux GR and Fortuner GR remain scarce. Moreover, TMP refused to comment when we asked about its plans in regards to the leaked vehicle launches for this year. But, the GR badge is a safe indication that TMP could indeed be bringing a more performance-oriented Hilux and Fortuner.
Globally, there are reports that Toyota is looking to launch a GR Hilux as well as a GR Fortuner. Both vehicles are said to be powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine that’s similar to the one found on the Land Cruiser. The said engine can put out 268 hp and 650 Nm of torque. Aside from a more powerful engine, the GR Hilux and GR Fortuner will be getting racing shocks with more suspension travel.
The Toyota GR Hilux
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However, the said Toyota vehicles could be different from the ones we’re about to get by Q3 2021. The reason for this is that the GR Hilux is reportedly based on the new-generation midsize Toyota pickup truck. To put things in perspective, the Hilux that was launched last 2020 by TMP is only the facelifted version.
In addition, the GR badge for the upcoming utilitarian Toyota vehicles is placed after the model name (Hilux GR and Fortuner GR). In comparison, the reportedly beefed up Hilux and Fortuner comes with the GR badge before the model name (GR Hilux and GR Fortuner).
The placement of the GR badge could be a hint that the ‘soon to be launched’ Hilux and Fortuner will not come with a more potent engine such as the 3.3-liter V6 engine. Instead, the Hilux GR and the Fortuner GR could come with the same power unit that has the same power output. The changes we can expect could be similar to the approach or design direction applied to the Vios GR-S.
The sporty Vios GR-S
The Vios GR-S comes with appearance upgrades but still uses the same 1.5-liter inline-4 with the same 106 horsepower and 140 Nm of torque. However, it comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with 10 simulated gears that can be controlled via paddle shifters. Moreover, the Vios GR-S gets a sports-tuned suspension system, and a set of 17-inch black alloy wheels.
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Toyota Hilux equipped with GR Parts
With that in mind, we could expect the same design direction for the Toyota Hilux GR and the Fortuner GR. It could come with cosmetics upgrades that will give the already aggressive looking Hilux and Fortuner an even more commanding presence.
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