Earlier this year Toyota Ireland launched the Hilux GR Sport, a sportier take on the renowned pickup with more aggressive styling and even some suspension tweaks. Now it's building on the foundation of that truck for the Hilux GR Sport II, and those Roman numerals carry a bit of weight.
Further mechanical changes
This time around, Toyota is adding more mechanical changes to the Hilux GR Sport, in the form of modified suspension and brakes.
Toyota claims that it has optimised the Hilux GR Sport II's "front and rear suspension balance for a smoother, more stable ride." The GR Sport II gets an extra 20mm of ride height, which gives it the ability to tackle a 30-degree approach angle (up from 29 degrees), while the track of the suspension has been increased by a significant 140mm at the front and 155mm at the rear.
The suspension dampers are also new, and are now monotube-types, rather than the twin-tube system used until now. Toyota says that this "provides better damping performance and faster response in tough conditions thanks to its larger piston area," as well as improved handling precision, enhanced stability in a straight line and new levels of comfort. As in the first iteration, the springs and dampers are painted red for a bit of extra visual aggression.
Aero improvements
The pickup's aerodynamics have also been tweaked, with a new 'air curtain' design at the front, and a new bumper with an aero-functional fog light design which seeks to reduce drag and turbulence in the wheel arch.
There's also an aero sports bar and rear load bed cover. There are new 17-inch alloy wheels, too, which cover new 431mm front brakes and, for the first time, disc brakes (381mm in diameter) at the rear, replacing the old drum brakes.
There is no extra power on offer, so the faithful old 2.8-litre, 204hp, 500Nm four-cylinder diesel engine is still in the nose, but with the suspension and brake updates, this Hilux GR Sport II is a little closer to the template of the last-generation Ford Ranger Raptor.
In styling terms, there's a new grille with a bigger, bolder Toyota script across it, and lots of black exterior trim, including sidestep, mirrors and door handles. There's a contrasting silver front under guard and a smattering of GR Sport logos.
Software updates
Inside, there's black leather and suede trim, with red contrast accents and seatbelts. You get alloy gearshift paddles for the automatic gearbox, as well as aluminium pedals, and an updated eight-inch infotainment screen which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as over-the-air software updates. The navigation system is cloud-based, but has an offline feature which can keep you pointed in the right direction when off-roading and away from a mobile phone signal.
The Hilux, of course, retains its usual pickup practicality with a 3,500kg maximum towing weight and a 1,000kg payload in the rear bed. The first examples of the Hilux GR Sport II should start to arrive in the second half of next year. Irish pricing has yet to be confirmed.