Yes, it’s time to torture myself and you with updates on the Toyota truck we wish we could get in the U.S. You know, the one with the fully boxed chassis and turbodiesel powerplant?
First up is the announced Hilux GR (above), an apparent stab at a Toyota version of Ford’s Ranger Raptor (which we also don’t get). In contrast to the regular Hilux’s 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel, which produces 174 horsepower and 332 lb.ft. of torque, it’s rumored the GR will have a V6 turbodiesel making upwards of 270 horsepower and a staggering 480 lb.ft. This is apparently the same engine that will be in the upcoming 300-Series Land Cruiser.
On a more basic level the Hilux is expected to get a facelift next year, prior to a redesign in 2023. Whether this image is accurate or a rendering we do not yet know.
The further rumor is that the redesigned Hilux will be merged with the U.S.-market Tacoma to return to the single world-platform pickup Toyota sold until the introduction of the Tacoma for us soft Americans.
I’ve been hearing this rumor since 2015, so I’ll wait and see.
Then again, we finally got the mid-engined Corvette. So miracles do happen.