Beefier Toyota Fortuner GR Sport revealed

Thailand has again played host to the debut of a new sports-themed Japanese 4x4 off-roader, this time with the 2022 Toyota Fortuner GR Sport.

A similar GR Sport Fortuner was unveiled earlier this year in Indonesia, however that model doesn’t feature anywhere near the same level of modifications as this just-released Thai version.

Like the 2022 Toyota HiLux GR Sport upon which it is based, the hotter Fortuner scores a heap of cosmetic enhancements inside and out, along with chassis tweaks.

Most notably, it’s fitted with a more aggressive front fascia with black grille mesh, and more black paint on the wing mirrors, roof and wheels, the latter with red brake callipers prominent within.

Powered by the familiar 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, there’s no more grunt on offer than the regular Fortuner, however the inclusion of uprated monotube shock absorbers is said to “increase driving performance” and “make it more fun”.

The sports theme is continued inside with GR-branded goodies like sports seats, starter button and key fob as well as red stitching, a black headliner, straight-ahead marker on the steering wheel and aluminium pedals.

If you’re thinking this recipe all sounds familiar, then you’d be right; it’s the same one used to cook up the Toyota HiLux GR Sport that was revealed last month sporting all of the same goodies save for the two-tone colour scheme.

Another subtle difference between the wagon and its donor ute is the omission of the HiLux’s pumped up wheel-arches – pinched off the HiLux Rogue but matched to the body colour – with the Fortuner making do with body-coloured versions of the standard cladding.

The Fortuner GR Sport is available in just three different colours in Thailand (where Australian Fortuner models are built), those being Emotional Red, White Pearl and Attitude Black – and all come with a gloss black roof.

Toyota Australia is yet to confirm its interest in the new Thai Fortuner GR Sport, but has previously told carsales it was “continually looking at opportunities to expand the Toyota GR range with more exciting models”.

In the meantime, the GR Yaris, GR Supra, C-HR and 300 Series LandCruiser GR Sport models fly the Gazoo Racing flag Down Under, but there’s more to come.

Among them, a full-fat GR HiLux is widely expected to top the next-generation pick-up range due mid-decade, with a Fortuner version also on the cards.