Toyota Hilux gets GR Sport treatment in Japan

Toyota has introduced a new GR Sport version of the Hilux pickup in its home market, Japan. The 2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport follows along the lines of the Hilux Revo GR Sport that was introduced in Thailand this August. As the same suggests, the Hilux GR Sport essentially gets a cosmetic upgrade over the standard model, although there’s no performance or handling updates like a full-fledged GR (Gazoo Racing) model.

• Hilux GR Sport gets several exterior and interior cosmetic upgrades
• Powered by 147hp, 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine; gets retuned suspension
• Standard Toyota Hilux under consideration for launch in India

Toyota Hilux GR Sport: what’s new?

The Hilux GR Sport gets a completely unique front fascia as compared to the standard model. It gets a distinctive new black grille with more body-coloured elements around it and a large ‘Toyota’ lettering in the middle. It also gets body-coloured wheel arches that have increased the width of the vehicle by 45mm. Other highlights include new 18-inch wheels finished in black, black rock sliders, red brake calipers at the front, a new black rear bumper and a couple of GR Sport badges.

There are plenty of upgrades inside the cabin as well including new seats with synthetic leather upholstery, GR logos in the headrests and red suede on the upper bolsters of the front seats. It also gets red contrast stitching, a new GR-branded steering wheel, sporty aluminum pedals, metallic paddle shifters, GR-specific instrument cluster and a GR-branded engine start button.

Under the hood, however, the Hilux GR Sport carries over the same 147hp, 400Nm, 2.4-litre turbo-diesel powertrain as the standard model in Japan, and comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with selectable four-wheel drive system. The Hilux GR Sport also gets a unique suspension tune for improved steering and handling response.

Toyota Hilux: India launch plans

While the new Hilux GR Sport has been introduced only for Japan, the standard Hilux pickup has for long been under consideration for a launch in India. It will be pitched as a direct rival to the Isuzu V-Cross, which has so far been the only lifestyle pickup of its kind on sale in India.

Incidentally, the Hilux is underpinned by the same platform as the Innova Crysta and the Fortuner, sharing the powertrain, four-wheel drive and suspension components. When launched in India, the Hilux is expected to be powered by the Innova’s 150hp, 2.4-litre diesel engine with two-wheel drive for the entry-level variants. The higher versions will likely get the 204hp, 2.8-litre diesel engine seen in the Fortuner – along with manual and automatic gearbox options – and a choice of either two or four-wheel drive.

Toyota is expected to bring the double cab variant of the Hilux to India. While it will be aimed at a niche set of buyers, the company will try to keep costs under check as there will be a lot of parts sharing with the Fortuner and Innova Crysta. You can expect a lot of interior trim, switchgear and equipment to be carried over from the aforementioned models. The Hilux is expected to arrive in India by late 2022, with prices expected to range between Rs 25 lakh-35 lakh.