In 2018, Toyota unveiled a Hilux tweaked by their go-fast department, Gazoo Racing. The Hilux GR Sport as it’s officially known did feature new handling bits and some aesthetics upgrades, but the stock drivetrain was, admittedly, a letdown. Two years later, Toyota has learned their mistake and is now giving the Hilux GR Sport a much-needed oomph with the help of a V6 engine.
Still exclusive to the South American market (bummer), the 2020 Hilux GR Sport can now be had with the 1GR-FE 4.0-liter V6 pushing out a more impressive 283 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 376 Nm of torque at 3,800 rpm. If this engine sounds familiar, it should be; it’s the same powerplant you find in the Land Cruiser Prado and FJ Cruiser. For its duties in the Hilux GR Sport, the V6 is mated to a 6-speed automatic with Automatic Differential Disconnection (ADD) and A-TRAC (Active Traction Control).
Now, admittedly, its stock power does seem a bit pedestrian for a hotted up truck, but it’s worth noting that the engine is easily tunable to achieve 320 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. Tuners, at least, will have fun squeezing every last bit from this engine.
Aside from its new 4.0-liter V6 motor, the rest of the Hilux GR Sport remains similar to its still available diesel counterpart. It gets handling goodies thanks to Gazoo Racing tweaked suspension. Aesthetically, it gets a Gazoo Racing exterior theme with a unique grille, front engine guard, extended fenders, tube-style bed bars, racy stickers, 17-inch wheels, and a heavy-duty crankcase and fuel tank guard. Inside, the same Gazoo Racing theme continues with unique gauges, seats, and steering wheel.
Currently, Toyota and Gazoo Racing has no plans to bring the V6-powered Hilux GR Sport outside South America. However, it won’t be surprising if pickup truck hungry Thailand will also opt to carry it (at least in the diesel trim) in the near future. And if that’s made available there, it’ll only be a matter of time when it reaches the Philippines as well.
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