Toyota's Ranger Raptor rival finally revealed! The new GR Sport is Australia's most powerful HiLux ever

Toyota has whipped the covers of its first true Ranger Raptor rival, with the HiLux GR Sport the toughest and most powerful HiLux Australia has ever seen.

Set to launch in the second half of this year, the HiLux GR Sport features the HiLux's regular 2.8-litre turbo-diesel, but with the power upped to 165kW and 550Nm. For reference, the new Ranger Raptor has swapped to petrol power, and features a twin-turbo V6 good for 292kW and 583Nm.

It's not just the engine that's changed, though. Toyota will assemble our vehicles in Melbourne – alongside the HiLux Rogue – and almost all the important bits have been upgraded, including the power pump, a wider track, tuned suspensions and better brakes.

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Said to draw its design inspiration from Dakar, the project was led by Toyota in Australia (working in tandem with Thailand and Japan), and the new model derives its extra grunt from changes to the turbocharger and fuel injection.

The brand has also tweaked the automatic transmission to deliver better acceleration (though it's yet to go into 0-100km/h specifics), while Toyota says the 140mm (front) and 155mm (rear) track "cater for the most demanding driving conditions".

The brands is also promising better handling and reduced roll through tweaked suspension, promising that "the higher damping force and heat-dissipation capacity, stiffer coil springs and an optimal front-rear suspension balance deliver outstanding handling, increasing stability through reduced roll angle and giving precise steering response."

While full pricing and specification is yet to be revealed, we do know the double-cab-only HiLux GR Sport will ride on 17-inch alloys with All Terrain rubber, and will also arrive with a skid plate, rock rails and red rear recovery points.

It also looks tougher, taking on a new upright-style grilled, and GR meshing with TOYOTA lettering stamped across it, while inside features a black-and-red GR Sport theme throughout.

"HiLux GR Sport draws on the spirit of Toyota's Dakar success as a hardcore 4WD that will appeal to customers seeking the quintessential off-road version of Australia's best-selling vehicle," says Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley.

"It has been designed to turn heads with aggressive in-your-face styling that's reinforced by a healthy performance boost, enhanced high-speed handling and even better grip on dirt roads," he said.

"Thanks to the extensive involvement of our local designers and engineers, HiLux GR Sport is a fun-to-drive vehicle that will bring new capabilities and excitement to the adventure lifestyles of Australian customers."

HILUX GR SPORT - PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS¹