Toyota Hilux GR-Sport V6 (“0000”)

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To understand this pick-up you have to meet Daniel Herrero. The president of Toyota Argentina is in charge of the factory that produces and exports most of the Argentine automotive market. And he is also a fan of sports and racing cars. Blacksmith in person tests every evolution of the Corolla Super TC2000 and Camry Top Race. In addition, he travels the country driving his Lexus GS 450 Hybrid F Sport, accompanying as many presentations as possible of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Argentina team.

Gazoo Racing is the competition and sports car division of Toyota globally. And, in all Latin America, its maximum responsible is -just- Daniel Herrero.

This makes it easier to understand how the pick-up you see here was born. D.H. he got Toyota headquarters in Japan to authorize the Zárate plant to be the only one with the permission to develop and manufacture a sports Hilux, signed by Gazoo Racing. The first generation was presented last year and liked it so much that it will soon be on sale in Japan, with Argentine engineering and manufacturing parts.

Autoblog tested the first Hilux GR-Sport 2.8 turbodiesel in January 2019. It was the first one seriously: the criticism of the “0000” unit can be read here. And now the brand gave us the opportunity to handle the “0000” unit of its evolution: the new Hilux GR-Sport V6, which has a price of 3,154,800 pesos.

We handle it for a week and the full review is reproduced below.

OUT

The Hilux GR-Sport 2.8 model 2019 is already sold out. 1,300 units were manufactured, of which some 800 were exported. Last December the GR-Sport II was presented: 2.8 Turbodiesel 4 × 4 (with manual or automatic gearbox) is still offered and the new V6 Naftera 4 was added. × 4 (only with automatic transmission).

And how is this second generation different from the first? The aesthetic decoration is a bit more discreet. The stickers with the colors of GR are smaller, especially on the sides. The decals that read “GR Toyota Gazoo Racing” also disappeared on the sides and the tailgate. In addition, it opens a new design on the tires (now they are polished, they are no longer painted black) and it has a new bar on the cargo box.

Versions 2.8 and V6 are identical on the outside, except for one detail: the “V6” emblem, on the cover of the cargo box. The color scheme offered is still limited: Mica Black (as in the unit tested), Bitono Pearl White (with black hood and roof) and Metallic Red. It retains the attractive (and very original) grill with the very large “Toyota” emblem, 100% LED headlights and Bridgestone Dueler A / T tires (265 / 65R17).

The new GR-Sport II fulfills the function of differentiating itself from the normal Hilux and transmits the sports image of the Gazoo Racing label. However, the Hilux GR-Sport is no longer alone in the sports flat segment. The new Ford Ranger Raptor imported from Thailand arrived in Argentina, which by force of widened trails, huge tires, aggressive horn and great ground clearance became a must-see when talking about aesthetics in medium-sized sport pick-ups (read review) . The hottest trio will be completed in March, with the launch of the new Amarok V6, with 258 horsepower (read Focus Group).

INSIDE

Inside there are no big news. Follow the carpets, head restraints and start button signed by "GR". The only important change must be sought on the board. In the 2.8 turbodiesel, the tachometer has the red zone from 4,500 rpm. In the V6 naftera, it starts at 5,500. The differences are so subtle that in Toyota they decided to place a very large warning sign on the fuel tank cap: "Use only gasoline", written in Spanish, Portuguese and English. Do not be something that some beachman is going to confuse.

Like all Hilux manufactured since July 2019, GR-Sport have a larger multimedia screen (eight inches, before seven). In addition, conventional buttons and knobs were incorporated, which replaced the slow and criticized tactile commands. He improved the answer, but still does not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The driver's position has no differences from a normal Hilux. Here the Ranger Raptor (with sports seats and steering wheel, with change cams) and the Amarok V6 (with the best driving position among medium pick-ups) run with advantage.

And let's not forget that it is a pick-up. It has a cargo box. The Hilux GR-Sport are the only ones that come standard with coating to avoid scratches on the cargo surface and maritime canvas. It is something that the (also expensive) Hilux SRX does not offer.

SECURITY

Since July 2019, all Hilux are sold in Argentina with seven series airbags. This is something that the first-generation GR-Sport already offered, so there is no big news for the GR-Sport II.

The Hilux should start incorporating some driving aids, as the Ford Ranger 2020 did last year: autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane maintenance system are devices that the Toyota produced in Zárate should start offering . We talk about the best-selling and exported vehicle in Argentina: you should educate by example.

Also surprising is the reluctance of Toyota Argentina to update the stability control (ESP) of the Hilux. In Europe, this software was modified after failing the so-called Moose Test. The Argentine subsidiary already explained in this interview that this change will not reach our market.

Can the Dash Cam be considered a security device? Some may give it that use. This is a camera located on the windshield, which are standard on all Hilux GR-Sport II (2.8 and V6). The system constantly records everything that happens in front of the vehicle. Recording starts when the engine starts and turns off automatically when it stops. For privacy reasons, it has a side button that allows you to turn on or off the microphone that captures conversations in the passenger compartment. The videos can be downloaded via an SD card or transferred via WiFi (you must download the free Toyota Dash Camera application).

The most interesting: in addition to capturing the videos, the system includes a GPS. You can download the cartography of the route handled in Google Maps. The full operation of the Dash Cam was explained in this separate note.

In August 2019, LatinNCAP returned to submit to its crash tests the Hilux manufactured in Argentina. Now with seven series airbags, he obtained the maximum five-star rating in protection of adults and children.

MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION

The Hilux GR-Sport II continues to offer the 2.8 turbodiesel version (with manual or automatic gearbox, read review), but the great novelty is this top-of-the-line naphtera version. It has a V6 4.0 of 24 valves, with chain distribution. It is the same 1GR-FE driver that equips the Land Cruiser Prado, which has been commercialized since December 2013, although its performance is different. In the Hilux delivers 238 horsepower at 5,200 rpm (against 275 of the Prado) and 376 Nm of torque at 3,800 rpm (381, in the Prado).

It is only combined with a six-speed automatic gearbox and 4 × 4 disconnectable traction, with gearbox and rear differential lock. That is to say: the transmission is the same as any Hilux, because the Prado has a more sophisticated scheme, with a system of automatic coupling and limited differential central sliding.

Being a naftero, the engine has a great against: it is a spend (see next section). However, it also has a big point in favor: maintenance is much simpler. According to the User Manual, it accepts 95 octane gasoline. And most importantly, it does not have the blissful DPF (particle filter), whose sudden "regeneration" orders are suffered by users of modern turbodiesel pick-ups of all brands.

BEHAVIOR

The gasoline engines (although they have more cylinders) will always be much lighter than the gasoleros. For this reason, the Hilux GR-Sport V6 weighs 120 kilos less than the 2.8. However, if you ever drove a Hilux 2.8 and you get on this V6, you will feel it as if it were 400 kilos lighter. So impressive is the response of 4.0 and the tremendous agility of this pick-up.

It is a difference that is felt from the first meters and that is enjoyed in all conditions: it does not matter if it is a city, route or unpaved roads. The Hilux V6 has sports car reactions. Accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 9.5 seconds (against 12.3 of the 2.8) and reaches a top speed of 195 km / h (against 180 of the 2.8). The maximum is electronically limited and is achieved in fifth gear, with the engine working at 5,500 rpm. The sixth is an overdrive.

The generous displacement ensures that you don't miss the turbodiesel torque at all. This 4.0 pushes brutally from 1,500 rpm. The rpm and km / h needles climb at a speed you never saw in a medium pick-up.

What is most surprising is the smooth operation of the engine. It does not vibrate and is only loud when you demand it to the fullest: it sounds loud from 4,000 rpm onwards, with a very pleasant roar. You can cross on the road with complete peace of mind in sixth and 120 km / h, with the engine working at only 1,800 rpm. But most likely, you spend a good part of the day looking for the right time and place (in addition to “legal”) to sink the right pedal fully.

And how about the consumption? En route and at 120 km / h, it spends more than reasonable 12.5 liters per 100 kilometers. The problem is in the city, where it is easy to reach 18 liters per hundred. Not to mention sporty driving, when you can exceed 22 l / 100km.

This Hilux has a huge V6 naftero. It is logical that I spend that. But it is good that you consider it if you are accustomed to the values of the Hilux 2.8 (with a discrete average of 10.5 l / 100km).

Toyota says it completely revised the chassis for this second generation of the GR-Sport and it shows in the ride comfort. Walking is much smoother, but without becoming soft. A sport tuning is appreciated, but it is not as hard as the first generation of the GR-Sport.

It seemed to me a much more balanced set, although any sensation is distorted by the bestial reactions of V6. It is an engine that is left over to this Hilux. And it needs to be accelerated thoroughly with a lot of responsibility. As much as the chassis has been worked, do not forget that you still have a rigid axle in the rear train and that the rear brakes are drum (at this height, it should offer four-wheel discs).

The most amazing: when you think that the benefits of this V6 are more than enough, remember that - like any Hilux - you can activate the Power Mode system and use the box in sequential mode. This increases the throttle response and retains the selected gear until the injection cut. In sequential and Power mode, the Hilux V6 AT6 will not pass the change unless ordered. It is the closest that you can access the brutal Hilux nafteras that run the Dakar Rally. This flat is a serious thing and requires careful handling.

Look for a safe, lonely and closed off-road path to traffic. You are going to have fun like a boy. Remember that everything you spend on gasoline will save you in therapy. And best of all, beyond the engine, it's still a Hilux: it's unbreakable. Ask to be mistreated. And he demands it loudly from V6.

And how does it behave with respect to an Amarok V6 or Ranger Raptor? Toyota's engine clearly exceeds what the most powerful mid-size cars of VW and Ford offer. But these two rivals take advantage when cornering. Both the Amarok V6 and the Ranger Raptor double as real trains. The Hilux, on the other hand, doubles as a pick-up.

The Amarok V6 is a real locomotive on the asphalt, although it lacks reducer to be equally good in the off-road. The Ranger Raptor is untouchable in the off-road (for its huge tires, the greater clearance of the ground and widened trails), but it lacks engine to keep pace with these V6.

If Toyota really wants to become the reference of this special niche, Gazoo Racing should modify the entire Hilux chassis - and not just the suspension - if it aspires to match its rivals in dynamic behavior. The engine is already.

This Hilux V6 is used by the internal roads of the Jacinto Campos ranch, in the Salado Basin. The rural Autoblog critic is recovering from a slight knee operation and could not handle it too much. Although there was no shortage of the welcome lamb or his keen opinion: “The previous Gazoo seemed very farolera. Now I see her sporty, but a little more distinguished. The fans of the Hilux are going to go crazy when they accelerate the V6, ”he said while