TOYOTA

2020 Hilux GR Sport swaps diesel for gasoline V6

Remember when Toyota Gazoo Racing used their magic touch on the Hilux? The result was the Hilux GR Sport, a sportier and better-looking pick-up truck that has received several goodies inside and out. It wears a red, white and black color scheme, stiffer springs with monotube dampers, a bespoke exterior body kit, and even special 17-inch alloy wheels finished in gloss black.
Fast forward to the end of 2019, and Toyota has released a new version of the sporty pick-up truck. However, unlike the previous one which came with a turbo-diesel engine under the hood, this one is now equipped with a gasoline-powered V6. That's right, Toyota has decided to include a V6-powered Hilux GR Sport instead of just the standard turbo-diesel offering.
The gasoline engine may not have as much torque as the turbodiesel's 450 Nm, but the V6 still generates a healthy 376 Nm of torque. Horsepower, on the other hand, is now at 238 PS which gives the Hilux an extra 61 PS compared to the diesel engine. Depending on the model chosen, the Hilux GR Sport can come with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with manual select, as well as a 4x4 system.


The gasoline engine V6(234 HP)

Like the Hilux GR Sport from before, Toyota also tweaked the suspension by giving it a stiffer set of springs, along with monotube shock absorbers for better handling.
Besides getting a new engine and a revised suspension, the 2020 Hilux GR Sport also received several changes on the exterior. Starting with the front fascia, it now comes with a bumper skid plate and a subtly revised front grill design. Also present are the new GR Sport body graphics which complement the more stylish looks of the special edition Hilux. Finally, the pick-up truck gets a new cargo box, new 17-inch alloy wheels, and a canvass cover for the rear bed.



Inside, the standard engine start/stop button has been replaced by a GR Sport-specific button. Meanwhile, perforated leather seats with red contrast stitching, full-leather steering wheel, and splashes of red accents further highlight the Hilux GR Sport's more aggressive design. Also present inside the Hilux GR Sport is a unique plaque that indicates the numbering of each unit. Providing in-car infotainment is an 8-inch touchscreen display with navigation, Bluetooth, MP3, and DVD support. Passengers can also charge their laptops or other devices via a 220V power inverter.



Other available amenities inside the Hilux include digital automatic climate control, cruise control, GR emblems on the headrests, smart entry system, reverse parking camera with sensors, and a full HD dashcam. Standard safety features present on the special edition pick-up truck are active traction control, rear differential lock, hill-descent control, hill-start assist, and seven airbags.



Will it be available in the Philippines soon? Perhaps, if Toyota Motor Philippines decides to bring Gazoo Racing Sport models. With the GR Supra already being offered in the country, maybe it's just a matter of time before more models from Gazoo Racing make their way to the Philippines. Fingers crossed the Hilux GR Sport will be one of them.

by Marcus De Guzman