Toyota Hilux facelift: fresh (low-res) leak shows new GR Sport variant?
by Ryan Bubear
Fresh low-resolution images seemingly showing the GR Sport version of the facelifted Toyota Hilux have emerged online.
The apparent leak – which looks like it originated from a dealer presentation or similar and which we first saw on Malaysian website WapCar – comes about a month after we had our first unofficial look at the refreshed Japanese bakkie.
While these latest images are (also) frustratingly low quality, they do appear to show a more aggressive design for what is presumably the mid-cycle-update version of the flagship GR Sport model.
The supposed Gazoo Racing-branded version gains a blacked-out grille (a treatment extended to its chunky surrounds), black wheel-arch extensions, black side-mirror caps, a more prominent front skid plate and larger (black-finished) alloy wheels.
Other leaked slides show the facelifted Hilux’s range of new wheel designs as well as a blurry look at the bakkie’s updated cabin.
Earlier reports suggested the Hilux’s mid-cycle update would include a power hike for the 2,8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which is likely to gain enough extra oomph to match the Ford Ranger’s 3,2-litre five-cylinder for torque.
The bakkie is also expected to gain minor revisions to its cabin, including an upgraded infotainment system complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Hilux, of course, is produced at Toyota South Africa Motors’ Prospecton plant in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and holds the title of the country’s best-selling vehicle (and best-selling double-cab). An upgraded version of the bakkie hit the local market in May 2018 in the form of the limited-edition Dakar, before the updated face was rolled out to other derivatives.
See Full Toyota Hilux Double Cab price and specs here