New Toyota HiLux GR Sport aims at Ford Ranger Raptor

Toyota and its in-house performance division, Gazoo Racing, have revealed a new version of Australia's top-selling vehicle for the Sao Paulo motor show in Brazil, dubbed the Toyota HiLux GR Sport.

Developed by the same folk who created the soon-to-be-launched Toyota Supra coupe, which will be the first model launched as part of Toyota Australia's new GR performance sub-brand next year, the Toyota HiLux GR Sport represents the Japanese giant's best shot yet at the Ford Ranger Raptor.

Enhancing the all-conquering pick-up truck's visual menace, the HiLux GR show car revealed in Brazil appeared with a black bonnet, a set of striking black and red Gazoo Racing decals, large 'TOYOTA' lettering on the grille, extended wheel-arches, tubular side steps and a rear rollover sports bar.

LED fog lights and 17-inch black alloy wheels complete the exterior tweaks that, alongside the imposing Ford Ranger Raptor, might make some potential owners feel a bit short-changed.

Inside, the sportier Toyota pick-up gets black leather sport seat trim, a revised instrument cluster and 'GR' logos on everything from the front head restraints and push-start button, to the floor mats and instrument panel.

Crucially, however, Gazoo Racing has also been hard at work under the skin.

To improve handling, the HiLux GR Sport gets stiffer front springs and new dampers all round. The steering, meanwhile, has also been tuned to improve both linearity and response, apparently making it more of a road warrior than a dune-jumper like the Raptor.

Sadly, under the bonnet, there's no more power for the sportiest HiLux, which settles for the same 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that produces an identical 130kW and 450Nm of torque. That means the off-road handing and power/torque advantage remains with the Ford Ranger Raptor, which gets a twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel producing 157kW and 500Nm.

The Toyota HiLux GR Sport goes on sale in Brazil early next year, but there's no word yet if Toyota has any plans of launching it Down Under, where any high-performance HiLux would wear GR badging.

Toyota Australia is keen to offer a more direct, higher-output rival for the Raptor version of the HiLux's closest rival, the Ranger. But so far the latest generation HiLux (launched in 2015) has been limited to locally developed chassis upgrades and design elements borrowed from the Asian-market Toyota HiLux TRD, as seen with the HiLux Rogue, Rugged and Rugged X.