What’s the next car in Toyota’s lineup to receive the mad Gazoo Racing treatment? The Corolla? Maybe a new hot version of the Supra? Wrong. Say hello to the Hilux Revo GR Sport. Okay, no it’s not quite a bespoke rally-ready special like the GR Yaris but it certainly looks the business. And before you ask, no you can’t buy one.
That’s because this pickup model is exclusive to the Thai market. Don’t think it’s just a bodykit, though. The Revo GR Sport is lowered by 23mm and packs over 200PS (147kW) going to the rear wheels only, thanks to a 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine. It’s got vented disc brakes at the front with bright red GR-labelled callipers.
Noriaki Yamashita, President of Toyota Motor Thailand, has even had the Hilux Revo GR Sport out on track, saying it offers “great agility and responsive handling even at high speed”. We know he’s supposed to say nice things about his own product but even so, we can’t help but be curious about the track credentials of this blistered pickup.
On-brand bright red callipers are only the tip of the aesthetic iceberg with this thing. Imagine a Hilux that’s ram raided the special GR Yaris factory in Japan and you’re not far off. Blistered arches, jutting splitter elements, more GR badges than wheels on the ground and even, at the back, a faux diffuser.
It’s generously equipped, too, with LED lights all around on the outside and a nice little infotainment system on the inside. There’s plenty to remind you it’s a GR behind the wheel, too, starting with the wheel itself and its red centre stripe. There’s red stitching, sporty GR dials and of course, the giant GR badge on the bottom of the wheel.
Would you have one of these over here if you could? Would you take it over a Ranger Wildtrak? It could be the perfect car to tow a GR Yaris track car, that’s for sure...
Toyota
Hilux
Toyota Gazoo Racing