16 SEPTEMBER 2019 leisurewheels.co.za
NEWS DRIVING IMPRESSION
In addition to launching the
Hilux Legend 50 to the local
market, Toyota has introduced
the new GR-Sport derivative.
Let’s get straight to the
point: the Hilux GR-Sport is
not a Ranger Raptor
competitor nor was it ever
meant to be.
To understand this bakkie,
you need to understand how
Toyota’s performance
division’s naming structure
works. The full GRMN badge
is placed only on the most
epic performance vehicles,
like the Yaris GRMN from
last year.
The GR-Sport is the first
step up from standard,
which means some things
had to be left in reserve. If
you’re wondering why the
2.8-litre engine still delivers
130kW and 450Nm of torque,
there’s your answer. The
engine is mated to a six-
speed automatic and the
power is sent to the wheels
via the same part-time
four-wheel-drive system as
the standard car.
With that out of the way,
let’s focus on the stuff that’sHILUX
GOES THE SPORTY ROUTE
not the same. The most
obvious difference is the red,
white and black decals, which
are a bit too much for our
liking but great if you want to
stand out among a sea of
other Hilux owners.
Other highlights include
a large honeycomb grille
with large Toyota lettering,
model-specific side steps
and alloys, black leather
interior with red inserts
on the dash, a GR-branded
starter button and a branded
production plate with the
car’s serial number.
The most important
upgrade is to be found
beneath the car. It has a
bespoke Gazoo Racing-tuned
suspension which consists of
monotube shock absorbers
(KYB units) with revised
damping. The springs up front
are also stiffer while the rear
leaf springs have been left
unchanged to retain the
Hilux’s load-carrying ability.
It’s not a giant leap forward
in terms of ride and handling
but it’s well worth the
additional R30k-odd Toyota
charges over and above theLegend 50 2.8-litre 4×
double cab, especially if you
spend a lot of time on gravel.
Unfortunately, all our time
behind the wheel was spent in
convoy but at least we
experienced this car back to
back with the Legend 50.
Hopping from the one to the
other, you definitely notice the
GR-Sport’s eagerness to turn
into a corner on a gravel road.
Toyota claims greater off-road
handling and steering, as well
as enhanced off-road body
control and sharper on-road
steering feel. We can’t
comment on the latter but
certainly understood what
Toyota means when it comes
to the rest.
All models have been
allocated to dealers but this
bakkie is still very much on
sale. For R707 400, it’s the
second most expensive Hilux,
with only the 4.0-litre double
cab 4×4 automatic Legend
50 retailing for more.
The GR-Sport comes with
a three-year/100 000km
warranty. A nine-services/
90 000km service plan
is standard.A LEGEND
TURNS 50
The Hilux Legend 50 is
now available in South
Africa, replacing the Raider
derivatives, and will be the
last bakkie to carry the
‘Legend’ nomenclature in
South Africa.
Toyota is yet to confirm
what it is going to replace it
with but we're told we can
expect exciting things.
As for the Legend 50, it’s
the same Hilux you know
and love. Still rugged, still
capable off-road and only
available with the 2.8-litre
diesel and 4.0-litre V6 petrol
in manual and automatic.
The exterior changes
include full black-out
treatment for the upper
and lower front grille,
new fog-lamp surrounds,
silver lower bumper guard,
Legend 50 badging and LED
headlamps with daytime
running lights.
On the inside, it’s
equipped with black leather
with blue stitching and a
new touchscreen interface
mounted within the dash.