Toyota has revealed the launch details of the 2022 Hilux GR Sport arriving in South Africa, which is the second GR iteration of the best-selling vehicle in the country.
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The new model follows the debut version introduced in 2019, and features a host of unique design and dynamic features to differentiate it from its stablemates and position the Hilux GR-S as the hero model of the range. Designed for the consumer who loves all things outdoor and camping, this new bakkie is a beast on and off-road.
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Exterior Design
The Hilux GR-S features a range of domestic enhancements above the standard Hilux model, including a large and prominent black front grille, a horizontal crossbar finished in a carbon-fibre pattern, and chrome Toyota lettering (a GR Sport trademark). Special treatment has been applied to the LED headlights, alongside vertically-stacked air ducts with integrated LED fog lamps.
Black mirror caps, black door handles, graphite-coloured side steps and rear styling bar with GR branding also add to the new look.
Customers can also opt for GR side decals on the doors, and these decals can be ordered and installed as a dealer option, and come in three different designs depending on the exterior colour chosen (Arizona Red, Graphite Grey, Attitude Black and Glacier White).
Interior Design
Design changes to the interior include a new instrument cluster with a cog-like metallic bezel, red needles, and a unique gauge face. A bespoke, perforated leather-trim steering wheel with red contrast stitching and GR badging is paired with sport-styled aluminium pedals (with rubber inserts).
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The racing-inspired front seats feature Alcantara inserts, GR badging on the headrests, red accent panels plus power adjustment for the driver’s seat.
Ride and Handling
The Hilux GR Sport includes new monotube shock absorbers that are paired with stiffer coil springs to deliver improved high-speed stability and handling response.
The wheel and tyre package features 17-inch alloy wheels in a Titanium finish – while the tyre package has been revised with a taller profile 265-65-R17 rubber for better off-road performance.
Engine & Drivetrain
Power output on the GR Sport 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.
Only one drivetrain configuration is offered in the form of a 4×4 transaxle mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with Auto LSD function. Aluminium paddle shifters have been added.
Drive Mode Select offers Power and Eco modes to tailor the GR Sport’s power delivery and engine response, with Power mode making maximum use of the increased power and torque outputs.
On top of a whole range of interior bells and whistles, a new feature is the panoramic view monitor, which provides a surround camera as well as a bird’s eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings.
Model Line-up & Pricing
Hilux GR-S 2.8 GD-6 4×4 6AT — R865,400
All Hilux models are sold with a 9-services/90 000 km service plan (intervals set at 10 000 km) and 3-year/100 000km warranty. Service and warranty plan extensions can also be purchased from any Toyota dealer (220 outlets).
