Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation
The Japanese automaker has many novelties this month, some in Europe and others at home, as the inaugural 2023 Japan Mobility Show is fast approaching to show that the former Tokyo Motor Show is not obsolete just yet.
Toyota wants to swing towards a "mobility future that offers freedom to lead the life you want, anywhere, anytime." And while the company is speaking about its newest creation for the inaugural JMS edition – KAYOIBAKO, an "ultra-expandable" design for a customizable battery-powered vehicle, a lot of models from the current range could also attest to that.
In America, we could count on the N400 Toyota Tacoma and its new i-Force Max hybrid powertrain with 326 horsepower and lots of adventurous ideas when coupled with the TRD Pro trim offer. And that's just an example. Internationally, we could easily relate to the all-new 2024 Land Cruiser (known as Prado or 250 across various markets to avoid confusion with the full-size J300 Land Cruiser).
In Europe, the theme clearly applies to the latest release – the legendary Toyota Hilux pickup truck's latest evolution, dubbed Hilux GR Sport II. Set to arrive on the Old Continent during the second half of next year, it's not exactly a fitting rival for the newly introduced Ford Ranger Raptor. At least, not in terms of performance, that is.
The looks, on the other hand, are quite mesmerizing indeed – while the company also boasts that its new Hilux GR Sport II "reaches new heights of performance, ride comfort, and imposing appearance." Toyota's Hilux has been around since 1968, and the Japanese automaker is not afraid to remind us of that, along with its multiple Dakar Rally-winning heritage, of course.
The new GR Sport II builds on top of all that with the double cab version mixing "enhanced handling and stability," as well as offering "best-in-class towing (3,500 kg/7,716 lbs.) and payload (1,000 kg/2,205 lbs.) capacity." Additionally, the secret to its enhanced handling and agility lies in the second GR Sport model's wider track - +140 mm at the front and another 155 mm at the rear compared to standard Hilux trims.
Toyota is also proud to announce this as their "best driving Hilux ever, on- and off-road, thanks to that wider tread and significant improvements in handling characteristics, such as increased vehicle stability through reduced roll angle and a precise steering response." The engineers also worked to reduce vibration noises, and the suspension and brakes were modified for additional "driving excitement and sporty sensations."
The company also says this is the ideal workhorse/daily driver thanks to the renowned 2.8-liter packing 201 horsepower and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) matched by a comfortable six-speed automatic transmission. The updated exterior design includes new, lighter, and more aerodynamic 17-inch wheels, GR Sport styling details, as well as black touches around the body. Inside, the Hilux GR Sport II has sporty red accents, GR Sport details, and the newest Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system.
The latter is operated through an eight-inch touchscreen display that's right small for this day and age – but at least the customers have access to cloud-based navigation, over-the-air software updates for both the navi/multimedia system and the Toyota T-Mate/Toyota Safety Sense, plus wireless/wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Last but not least, the ride height is 20 mm above standard levels for an increase to 30 degrees of the approach angle while the new 17 inchers work in tandem with all-terrain tires and new 15-inch rear disc brakes instead of drum brakes.
In America, we could count on the N400 Toyota Tacoma and its new i-Force Max hybrid powertrain with 326 horsepower and lots of adventurous ideas when coupled with the TRD Pro trim offer. And that's just an example. Internationally, we could easily relate to the all-new 2024 Land Cruiser (known as Prado or 250 across various markets to avoid confusion with the full-size J300 Land Cruiser).
In Europe, the theme clearly applies to the latest release – the legendary Toyota Hilux pickup truck's latest evolution, dubbed Hilux GR Sport II. Set to arrive on the Old Continent during the second half of next year, it's not exactly a fitting rival for the newly introduced Ford Ranger Raptor. At least, not in terms of performance, that is.
The looks, on the other hand, are quite mesmerizing indeed – while the company also boasts that its new Hilux GR Sport II "reaches new heights of performance, ride comfort, and imposing appearance." Toyota's Hilux has been around since 1968, and the Japanese automaker is not afraid to remind us of that, along with its multiple Dakar Rally-winning heritage, of course.
The new GR Sport II builds on top of all that with the double cab version mixing "enhanced handling and stability," as well as offering "best-in-class towing (3,500 kg/7,716 lbs.) and payload (1,000 kg/2,205 lbs.) capacity." Additionally, the secret to its enhanced handling and agility lies in the second GR Sport model's wider track - +140 mm at the front and another 155 mm at the rear compared to standard Hilux trims.
Toyota is also proud to announce this as their "best driving Hilux ever, on- and off-road, thanks to that wider tread and significant improvements in handling characteristics, such as increased vehicle stability through reduced roll angle and a precise steering response." The engineers also worked to reduce vibration noises, and the suspension and brakes were modified for additional "driving excitement and sporty sensations."
The company also says this is the ideal workhorse/daily driver thanks to the renowned 2.8-liter packing 201 horsepower and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) matched by a comfortable six-speed automatic transmission. The updated exterior design includes new, lighter, and more aerodynamic 17-inch wheels, GR Sport styling details, as well as black touches around the body. Inside, the Hilux GR Sport II has sporty red accents, GR Sport details, and the newest Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system.
The latter is operated through an eight-inch touchscreen display that's right small for this day and age – but at least the customers have access to cloud-based navigation, over-the-air software updates for both the navi/multimedia system and the Toyota T-Mate/Toyota Safety Sense, plus wireless/wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Last but not least, the ride height is 20 mm above standard levels for an increase to 30 degrees of the approach angle while the new 17 inchers work in tandem with all-terrain tires and new 15-inch rear disc brakes instead of drum brakes.
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