After hearing countless speculations and rumors, Toyota Motor Philippines has finally launched the Gazoo Racing (GR) versions of the Toyota Fortuner and the Toyota Hilux.
Toyota PH launches the GR Sport versions of the Hilux and the Fortuner
Known as the Toyota Hilux GR Sport and the Toyota Fortuner GR Sport, these two now sit as the top-spec variants in their respective lineups. As such, it comes as no surprise that they are also a bit pricier than the Hilux Conquest and the Fortuner LTD, respectively.
So, what do these two new Gazoo Racing variants offer to a prospective buyer?
Exterior
As a top-of-the-line variant, the Hilux GR Sport still gets the same equipment as the Hilux Conquest. It has LED headlamps and daytime running lamps, front fog lamps, and the same LED C-shaped taillight cluster. What’s different however is the abundance of black-colored exterior bits, which helps in bringing out the inherent macho stance of the Hilux.
2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport
On the front, it gets a black-colored grille, as well as a different bumper. From the sides, you’ll find a new set of wheels unique to the variant. The bed was also improved with a new sports bar. Tying up the looks of the GR Sport Hilux is a set of GR Sport-specific 18-inch alloy wheels. The exterior also comes with red-colored brake calipers with a GR Sport logo.
For the Toyota Fortuner, it also follows the style of the Thai-spec GR Sport trim. It gets a lot of GR Sport badges, a more aggressive-looking front bumper, as well as a more imposing grille.
2022 Toyota Fortuner GR Sport
Besides those, it also gets a two-tone color scheme, plus a set of new GR Sport 18-inch wheels. Like the Hilux model, it also comes with red GR Sport brake calipers.
As the new top-spec variant, the Fortuner GR Sport also gets LED headlamps, LED daytime running lamps, front fog lamps, roof rails, and LED taillights.
Interior
For the interior, the seats for the Hilux GR Sport are provided with red inserts and red-colored contrast stitching. Furthermore, the Hilux GR Sport also features aluminum sport pedals, and the driver is also given paddle-shifters to manually control the truck’s automatic transmission.
Moreover, the Hilux Conquest also features a push-to-start button, cruise control, power-folding side mirrors, as well as an automatic air-conditioning.
And of course, the interior of this new Hilux variant is also adorned with GR Sport logos. There’s one for each of the headrests for the front seats, one on the steering wheel, among others.
In turn, the Fortuner GR Sport’s interior looks similar to the one on the GR Hilux. It is after all, based on the Hilux. Specifically, this new Fortuner trim also features GR Sport logos on its headrests, as well as aluminum sport pedals.
Unlike the seats on the Hilux GR Sport though, the ones on the Fortuner GR Sport don’t get red inserts. Instead, its seats are clad in black leather. It does get a splash of color by way of the red contrast stitching as well.
Furthermore, the new Fortuner variant also comes with paddle shifters which were present before on the LTD variant. Other amenities on the Fortuner GR Sport include a push-to-start button, automatic air-conditioning, among others.
It also mirrors the differences between the Hilux Conquest and the Fortuner LTD, in that the latter comes with tilt and telescopic steering wheel and rear air-conditioning vents. Both features are absent on the Hilux GR Sport and the Hilux Conquest.
Tech & Safety
Apart from those interior upgrades, the Hilux GR Sport still features the same eight-inch touchscreen headunit as the Hilux Conquest. It has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and it is linked to a six-piece speaker system. It also gets a Panoramic View Monitor.
2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport is available in Emotional Red exterior color
Safety-wise, it is pretty much on par with the Hilux Conquest. It gets stability and traction control, anti-lock braking (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), parking sensors, hill-start assist, a reverse camera, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and engine immobilizer, as well as seven airbags.
In the case of the Fortuner GR Sport, it also mirrors the Fortuner LTD. It is equipped with seven airbags, ABS with EBD, stability and traction control, a reverse camera, ISOFIX, among others.
2022 Toyota Fortuner GR Sport features added style points
Unlike the Hilux GR Sport however, the Fortuner GR Sport gets the Toyota Safety Sense driver-assist suite. Like on the Fortuner LTD, it has blind-spot detection, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree view camera, lane departure warning, among others.
For entertainment, the Fortuner GR Sport is similar to the Hilux as it also uses an eight-inch touchscreen headunit with the same connectivity options. Just like the Fortuner LTD, the Fortuner GR Sport has a nine-piece JBL sound system.
Engine & Performance
The Hilux GR Sport and the Fortuner GR Sport also received some mechanical upgrades. Specifically, their suspension systems have been improved as both models now have monotube dampers. This provides continuous damping force, and more stability when driving.
For the engine though, the Hilux GR Sport and the Fortuner GR Sport still use the same 2.8-liter turbodiesel that powers the Hilux Conquest trims and the Fortuner LTD trims. At maximum, this engine can produce up to 201 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. The engine is then paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox, which sends power to all four wheels through a 4x4 drivetrain.
Pricing
2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport and Fortuner GR Sport
When it comes to pricing, the Toyota Hilux GR Sport 4x4 has a starting price of Php 1,985,000, which is Php 110,000 more than the Hilux Conquest 4x4 AT. On the other hand, the Hilux GR Sport in Emotional Red exterior paint is priced at Php 2,005,000.
In turn, the new Fortuner GR Sport can be had for Php 2,509,000. This price makes it the most expensive midsize, truck-based seven-seater SUV in the Philippine market. In comparison to the Fortuner LTD 4x4 AT, the GR Sport trim is priced Php 69,000 more.
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