Hilux GR Sport has looks, power and presence
A new feature is the panoramic view monitor, which provides surround camera as well as a bird’s eye view of the vehicle surroundings.
The 2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport is the second GR iteration of South Africa’s best-selling vehicle, after the debut model in 2019. It features a host of unique design and dynamic features, to differentiate it from its stablemates and position it as the hero model of the range.
The Hilux GR Sport wears a unique suit, with the designers penning the design around the concepts of toughness and sportiness. A large and prominent black front grille, horizontal cross bar finished in a carbon-fibre pattern, and chrome Toyota lettering (a GR Sport trademark) announce its presence. Special treatment has been applied to the LED headlights, alongside vertically-stacked air ducts with integrated LED fog lamps.
Four exterior colours are offered mimicking the GR brand colours: Arizona Red, Graphite Grey, Attitude Black and Glacier White. These in turn are offset by the contrasting inlay in the overfender (red, black or silver depending on paintwork choice).
Design changes to the interior include a new instrument cluster with a cog-like metallic bezel, red needles and unique gauge face. A bespoke, perforated leather-trim steering wheel with red contrast stitching and GR badging, is joined by sporty aluminium pedals (with rubber inserts).
Under the skin, new monotube shock absorbers are paired with stiffer coil springs to deliver improved high-speed stability and handling response.
The wheel and tyre package features bespoke 17″ alloy wheels in a titanium finish – while the tyre package has been revised with taller profile 265-65-R17 rubber, to offer enhanced off-road performance.
While the GR-Sport (aka GR-S) moniker normally represents cosmetic and handling enhancements, the Hilux variant has a trick up its sleeve in the performance department too. Power output has been increased to 165 kW (+15) and torque ramped up by 50 Nm to a peak of 550 Nm. This has been accomplished via a special ECU calibration which interfaces with revised 6-speed automatic transmission mapping and lock-up control – to ensure optimised power delivery. These improvements result in a 0-100 km/h sprint time reduction of 0.65 seconds. Top speed is quoted as 175 km/h.
A new feature is the panoramic view monitor, which provides surround camera as well as a bird’s eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings.
Towing capacity is rated as 750 kg (unbraked) and 3500 kg (braked), with a payload of 790 kg. The Hilux GR-S carries a maximum GCM of 5850 kg. A fuel tank of 80 litres is provided.
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