Toyota has stepped up its efforts to take on the high-performance Ford Ranger Raptor with the introduction of the HiLux GR Sport, its most powerful model yet.
The 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine has been massaged to make 165kW of power and 550Nm of torque, an improvement of 15kW and 50Nm over the next best HiLux in the range. But it’s not just a bit of extra grunt, with Toyota making a range of changes to improve the handling and dynamics of the popular ute.
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These include basing the GR Sport on the same ‘wide track’ chassis as the Rogue model, which means an extra 135mm front and 155mm rear track increase and 15mm ride height improvement. To this, Toyota has introduced a new front coil and rear leaf spring tuning and KYB monotube shock absorbers, while removing the rear sway bar for better rear articulation.
The next new addition are Bridgestone Dueler ST tyres measuring 265/65 on 17-inch ‘Dakar-style’ alloy wheels. Braking has been upgraded to go with the extra power too, with new 338mm front rotors with four-piston callipers.
According to Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president the new GR Sport was developed with input from Australian engineers to try and improve the appeal of the HiLux in its battle for sales with the Ranger.
“With input from Australian engineers and designers and comprehensive enhancements inside and out, the HiLux GR Sport makes Australia’s favourite ute even more appealing,” Hanley said.
Australians love powerful and capable pick-ups, and the HiLux GR Sport certainly delivers on that brief.”
ROAD TEST: Ford Ranger Raptor review
However, Ford won’t be too worried as the Ranger Raptor is still comfortably more powerful than the HiLux GR Sport, with its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine making 292kW and 583Nm.
But the arrival of the HiLux GR Sport paves the way for the next-generation of the Japanese ute to try and compete with the Ford on equal footing if Toyota wants to.
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