Toyota HiLux GR upgrades revealed

Toyota has released a range of GR parts for the HiLux ute in Japan, potentially previewing a spicier GR Sport version of Australia's most popular pick-up, rather than a full-flavoured Toyota HiLux GR desert-dueler to take on the Ford Ranger Raptor.

The extra bits are available to Japanese customers but have not been confirmed for Australia, where tough-trucks fans are still frothing for the upgraded 2021 Toyota HiLux Rugged X and something even harder hitting later on.

The local release of the updated Toyota HiLux Rugged X has been delayed because Toyota Australia’s Melbourne-based conversion centre is affected by coronavirus lockdown regulations.

This has meant that the high-grade steel front bash plate and bumper in particular have taken longer to manufacture and is also why Toyota Australia has not yet released pricing, specifications or accessories for the 2021 HiLux Rugged X.

Toyota Australia is considering expanding its Rugged X range to the new LandCruiser 300 Series, which is expected to debut in 2021. Senior executives at Toyota have told carsales the conversion centre in Melbourne can be expanded to accommodate more models.

Beyond the revised Rogue and Rugged X variants and a potential GR Sport version of the HiLux that could borrow some of the components you see here, there is also a hard-core HiLux GR on the horizon.

Toyota has made no secret of its desire to offer full-strength GR versions of all its core models and the HiLux GR could look something like the HiLux GR Sport revealed in Brazil in 2018.

Last year, Toyota Europe’s sales and marketing boss, Matthew Harrison, told Automotive News that the GR Sport model range – which currently consists of two models, Yaris and Supra – would be greatly expanded.

“We are trying to build more of an obvious link to the GR brand, which is why we are establishing for each of our core models a GR Sport derivative,” said Harrison.

As seen with Japan's GR Yaris RS and the C-HR GR Sport that appears imminent for Australian release, Toyota’s GR Sport models generally add only body kits and mild suspension upgrades.

That means any HiLux GR Sport model would not be a dune-jumping super-ute in the vein of a Ford Ranger Raptor, but it could bring many of the Japanese market's GR parts you see here, including a beefier bash plate, front bumper cover, side steps, mud flaps, sports bar and exhaust outlets, plus a hard tonneau cover.

But given the next-generation model isn't due until 2024, Toyota is expected to develop a hard-core HiLux GR that pays homage to the car-maker's Dakar racer and would need to employ more serious suspension upgrades than the Rugged X if it is to rival the Raptor.

First released in 2015, the current generation Toyota HiLux has just been overhauled as part of a mid-life upgrade, bringing a new look and more power from its 2.8-litre turbo-diesel (now 150kW/500Nm), along with chassis, safety and technology improvements.