2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport imagined with this artist impression

The new flagship of the Toyota HiLux range was caught on camera in Thailand late last year wearing little disguise. Now we have created an artist impression of what it could look like.

Last month we got our first look at a camouflaged version of the 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport, the flagship ute set to replace the range-topping Toyota HiLux Rugged X in Australian showrooms later this year.

Now we have an artist impression of the 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport (pictured above) that aims to remove some of the camouflage of the test vehicle caught on camera in Thailand mid-December 2022.

As previously reported, although other versions of the Toyota HiLux GR Sport have been launched in Europe, South Africa and Japan over the past year or so, the 2023 edition appears to be the most aggressive yet.

The latest Toyota HiLux GR Sport is set to come to Australia for the first time, though timing of the international unveiling and showroom arrivals are yet to be announced.

A series of photos published last month on social media platform Instagram by the highly-regarded Kurdistan_Automotive_Blog – which has a reputation for posting genuine spy-photo scoops – showed a lightly-camouflaged Toyota HiLux being driven on a main road in Thailand (where examples of the HiLux sold in Australia are manufactured).

It is clear in the images the Toyota HiLux being tested has the same wider track and extended wheel arch flares that debuted with the other flagship in the range – the Toyota HiLux Rogue – in Australia in recent months.

The wider bodywork – and wider footprint – coincided with a major suspension overhaul front and rear, 70mm-wider axles, and the fitment of four-wheel disc brakes.

As part of the suspension overhaul, there are new lower control arms for the front suspension, and the rear shock absorbers have been moved outboard from the rear chassis rails for better stability on bumpy roads (as is the case with both Volkswagen Amarok generations and the new Ford Ranger).

The photos show the 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport tested is equipped with an aggressive all-terrain tyre and a new wheel design (which remains under wraps for now).

Although the new front bumper and grille are masked heavily, the camouflage does little to disguise the bold new design and prominent underbdy “bash plate”.

If the 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport follows the styling theme of other variants, the grille will have T-O-Y-O-T-A lettering rather than an oval logo badge.

It is unclear why Toyota has added two lines of tape above the headlights and across the bonnet; it’s possible this was designed to make it look less like a HiLux, and disguise the prominence of the new grille.

The vehicle in the photos has a strip of tape on the front doors, and a larger section of tape on the right side of the tailgate – where GR Sport badges are found on the current versions of the HiLux GR Sport sold overseas.

Power output for the 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport is yet to be disclosed, however in South Africa a previous top-end model delivered a power bump for the 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel from 150kW/500Nm to 165kW/550Nm.

There has been speculation overseas the 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport could be equipped with a turbo diesel V6 engine, however this is unlikely given the extra cost of a new round of emissions tests so late in the current model’s lifecycle.

The current-generation Toyota HiLux is more than seven years old, after launching locally in August 2015.

If history is a guide, the next-generation Toyota HiLux is due in late 2025 or early 2026.

For now it is unclear if the significant underbody changes to the 2023 Toyota HiLux Rogue and 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport will in fact form the basis of the next-generation Toyota HiLux. It would mean the next model could simply be a new “top hat” (industry-speak for new bodywork over an existing chassis).

Or, it is possible Toyota is doubling-down on improvements to its icon HiLux models three years out from the next model to keep it fresh amid tough new competition from ride and handling benchmarks the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok.

The post 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport imagined with this artist impression appeared first on Drive.

Komentar

Posting Komentar

Postingan populer dari blog ini

Teacher accused of using rented Toyota Supra for land-speed record attempt

Gambar
A high-school teacher in the US could be more than $6000 out of pocket if he is found to have violated the terms of use of a rented Toyota Supra driven to a top speed record. A US high school teacher is facing legal action – and $US4000 ($AU6000) in costs – after being accused of renting a turbocharged Toyota Supra performance coupe from a car-sharing service and used the vehicle in a racing competition without the owner’s knowledge. The high-school teacher from Indiana – and his team of female mechanic students – were on their way to compete in the 2023 U.S. Mile land-speed trials in Texas last month. The girls and their teacher had built a high-performance Chevrolet S10 pick-up for the ‘Texas Mile’ – a competition which sees vehicles try to achieve the highest possible speed from a standing start within one-mile (1.6km) on a runway. However, the 1997 Chevrolet S-10 ute suffered a mechanical failure on the way to the event. Due to the hard work put in to make the 1800km j
Baca selengkapnya

2023 LDV T60 Max price and specs: Prices up by more than $4000

Gambar
The LDV T60 has been hit with its second major price rise in 12 months to account for new equipment – but the ute still lacks key advanced safety tech. 2023 LDV T60 Max pricing and specifications New equipment for Pro and Luxe grades Only top 10 dual-cab ute without auto emergency braking Priced from $38,990 drive-away for ABN holders 2023 LDV T60 Max Luxe The updated 2023 LDV T60 Max has arrived in Australia with a $4000 price rise and some equipment upgrades – but it still lacks advanced safety technology which is standard in its rivals. LDV Australia has announced the T60 Max 4×4 ute has undergone a handful of tweaks for 2023 after its major facelift (and $5000 price hike) last year – resulting in a price increase of $4000 across the range for buyers with an ABN. But Australia’s ninth best-selling ute continues to forgo advanced safety tech such as forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring and autonomous emergency braking – making the T60 the the only du
Baca selengkapnya

‘Smells Like WD-40’ – lubricant spray now a fragrance

Gambar
The smell of WD-40 – the multi-purpose lubricant spray used by mechanics and home handymen – is now available as a fragrance. Those who like to tinker with older cars will no doubt be familiar with the lubricating spray WD-40 – the penetrating oil that helps helps loosen, degrease, and protect nuts and bolts. The product is so versatile it’s become the stuff of legend, but it’s the smell of WD-40 that is arguably its most memorable feature – so much so, people on the internet have pretended to turn it into a perfume for years. Now, a very real cologne has been launched, called Smells Like WD-40. The Eau De Parfum is made by New York art collective MSCHF, who are known for creating spoof products designed to point out the absurdity of a particularly industry – in this case, the multi-billion-dollar world of luxury fragrances. According to Business Insider, MSCHF used to run non-traditional advertising campaigns for brands, but stopped in late 2019 to focus on its own projec
Baca selengkapnya