Let’s face it, you can slap any sticker onto the back of a
Toyota Hilux and it will still sell like hot cakes. Be it Dakar Edition, Legend this, Legend that, it’s a
Hilux and will remain at the top of the sales charts. However,
Toyota has decided to give the
Hilux a bit of oomph in the form of the new
GR-S edition. Not only does this model offer some neat visual updates, it also features a more powerful engine and some fancy suspension. We got behind the wheel to see what it’s all about.
Before we dive into the
Hilux GR-S, I think it best to explain how the
GR brand operates. The
GR product hierarchy comprises four levels; represented as a pyramid, the first layer is
GR Parts which allows customers to inject their normal model variant with
GR flavour, followed by the
GR-Sport moniker which offers cosmetic and dynamic handling enhancements, think Corolla Cross,
Hilux, Land Cruiser 300.
The third tier is occupied by fully-fledged
GR performance models which includes
GR86,
GR Yaris and
GR Supra while the fourth and final layer is GRMN - which represents the highest level of performance tuning.
On the outside, the keen-eyed
Hilux aficionado will notice that this bakkie has a new, sportier front bumper, the main attraction being the
Toyota lettering across the centre - very American and I like it. Special treatment has been applied to the LED headlights, alongside vertically-stacked air ducts with integrated LED fog lamps.
I also like the added wheel arch flares which add a sense of width. The
GR-S Hilux also 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.
I just wish the tyres were wider as they seem lost behind the otherwise muscular stance. Furthermore, Black mirror caps, black door handles, black side steps and rear styling bar with
GR branding - create a sporty contrast.
Inside the recipe remains pretty much the same, except for the fact that eye-catching carbon-fibre trim replaces the brushed finish in Legend models, which is complemented by red accent trim signalling the
GR-S' performance credentials. Look closer and you will notice a leather-trimmed steering wheel with red contrast stitching and sporty aluminium pedals with rubber inserts. Overall the design is as it has always been; ergonomic and neat.
The big updates can be found under the surface. The 2.8 GD-6 motor's power has been increased to 165kW, a 15kW increase over the Legend model and torque has been ramped up by 50Nm to a peak of 550 Nm. This has been accomplished via a special ECU calibration which interfaces with the 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.
What I found to be really beneficial to the overall drivetrain was the new programing on the gearbox. Shifts were smoother and the gearbox made better use of the torque than in other models. This bakkie has decent power and it makes good use of that power.
As for the suspension, new monotube shock absorbers are paired with stiffer coil springs to deliver improved high-speed stability and handling response. The ride is definitely firmer than on other
Hilux models but on gravel it reduces unwanted impacts.
Would I buy this? Probably not, I would settle for a regular Legend model as the changes, although noticeable, are not groundbreaking. This is by no means a Ford Raptor competitor but there are rumours that
Toyota is working on one. For now, the
GR-S is all you have, that’s if you can find one as they seem to be selling like hot cakes.
Credit: Justin Jacobs
