Hot new Toyota Hilux GR Sport CONFIRMED for Australia

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The Toyota Hilux is about to get even more serious, with confirmation today that the Toyota Hilux GR Sport is destined for Australia in 2023. 

Toyota Australia calls the new Hilux a “hardcore halo variant” that will replace the Rugged X as the pinnacle of the dual-cab ute range. 

The Hilux GR Sport will launch locally in the second half of 2023 according to Toyota. 

Further details on the hot Hilux GR Sport variant will be announced closer to the dual-cab’s launch. 

What we know so far about the Toyota Hilux GR Sport

Chasing Cars has already speculated what could be in store for a Hilux GR Sport. It’ll very likely be a special model to take on the Ford Ranger and Ranger Raptor.

Toyota Australia hinted one month ago that there would be an “apex ute” coming, making the motoring press guess that it would be a high-spec and potentially performance-orientated GR variant. 

The Hilux GR Sport is already available in some countries such as the Philippines, Thailand and parts of Europe, but the powertrains for those versions are nothing out of the ordinary range – most have outputs of 150kW/500Nm like the ‘standard’ turbo-diesel Hilux.

However, the Hilux GR Sport for Australia could very likely gain higher outputs thanks to a new V6 engine.

Chasing Cars has speculated the Hilux GR Sport could be fitted with the 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel engine from the Land Cruiser 300 Series, making outputs of 227kW/700Nm. 

Or, the apex Hilux could gain the 3.4-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 engine from the Toyota Tundra, which has the ability of being a hybrid in ‘I-Force Max’ configuration. This engine can produce up to 310kW of power and 650Nm of torque – plenty for a dual-cab ute. 

Packaging such an engine would be tricky, however, and will add plenty of unnecessary weight to the Hilux, which makes the 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel potentially a more viable option, as there is sufficient room in the Hilux’s engine bay for such an engine. 

What can we expect from the new Hilux GR Sport?

Expect the new Toyota Hilux GR Sport to be a hybrid between the Philippines-delivered GR Sport and the outgoing Rugged X that has been sold in Australia for some time. 

A flagship red exterior colour is likely, along with pumped-up wheel arches, a sail-plane enhancement (sitting over the tray) and beefed-up, off-road dedicated suspension. 

Toyota will no doubt be targeting the new Ford Ranger Raptor, both in terms of outputs and suspension set-up. 

This could be one of the most interesting performance ute battles since the days of the Holden Commodore SS ute and the Ford Falcon XR8.

We can’t wait to hear more about the ute as we get closer to the GR Sport’s launch next year.