New Toyota HiLux GR desert racer revealed

Toyota Gazoo Racing has officially confirmed its entry in the 2022 Dakar Rally and the wild new Toyota GR DKR HiLux T1+ desert racer could provide clues to the mechanical makeup of the upcoming Toyota GR HiLux.

Under the bonnet is a 300kW-plus version of the 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that powers the new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series in other markets, but could also be fitted to the next-generation HiLux range-topper due around 2024.

Alternatively, the first fully-fledged Toyota GR HiLux could score the new 700Nm 3.3-litre V6 turbo-diesel that comes standard in Australia’s 300 Series.

Before then, Toyota could release a ‘GR-lite’ version of the current HiLux, an upgraded version of which arrives around October, based on the low-riding HiLux GR Sport Revo released in Thailand last month.

Previewed in prototype form ahead of its proper unveiling later this year, Toyota’s all-new HiLux racer is set to make its mark on the world’s toughest off-road endurance rally next January.

The heavily fettled version of Australia’s top-selling vehicle was revealed in its most popular dual-cab 4x4 pick-up form testing in the sand dunes of Namibia and temporarily clad in a raw carbon-fibre body kit.

Toyota’s new Dakar-ready HiLux is based on the racer that debuted in 2018 and won Dakar in 2019 but benefits from a range of upgrades in part due to the new T1+ category regulations.

Updates include larger 37-inch tyres (up from 32s) and 350mm of suspension travel (previously 280mm).

According to the new regulations, 4x4s in the T1+ category can also now ride on a wider 2.3-metre chassis (up from 2m) and are permitted to be 100kg heavier than before, with maximum weight now at 1950kg.

Toyota’s new GR DKR HiLux T1+ will also ditch the previous truck’s standard 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel donk in favour of the LandCruiser’s new V6 petrol powertrain, which in standard form produces more impressive outputs of 305kW at 5200rpm and 650Nm of torque from 2000rpm.

However, Toyota promises “significantly higher” outputs in race trim.

The Japanese brand’s motorsport department says the four-car team will again be spearheaded by Nasser Al-Attiyah from Qatar and his French navigator Mathieu Baumel, each with three Dakar wins under their belts.

“I am excited for our prospects, especially with the new GR DKR Hilux T1+, which is definitely faster and more capable than the previous car,” said Al-Attiyah.

Baumel said the new HiLux racer is “very promising”.

“If our first tests are anything to go by, the new petrol engine, bigger suspension travel and increased tyre sizes may just bring the additional power, control and puncture-protection that we lacked in the recent past,” he said.

Toyota’s 2022 Dakar assault will also include Giniel de Villiers and navigator Dennis Murphy, Henk Lategan and navigator Brett Cummings, and Shameer Variawa and navigator Danie Stassen.

The 2022 Dakar Rally will begin January 2 in Saudi Arabia.