HARDER- HITTING HILUX
CAR South Africa|CARMAG February 2023
In an effort to capture even more market share in the bustling leisure-bakkie segment, Toyota has launched its boldest and sportiest model yet. The 165 kW Hilux GR-S is the brand's second locally to feature the GR badge
Damian Adams
HARDER- HITTING HILUX

As we flew over the Greater Kruger region, coming in to land at East gate Airport, where the spectacular Mirage fighter jet once paraded itself at what was then Air Force Base Hoedspruit, a growing buzz and excitement filled the cabin. We watched wide-eyed tourists from foreign countries and listened to them share our keenness and sentiments in different languages as we all anticipated the safari experience that lay ahead. Try as we might, nothing could have prepared us for the experience, and there was no better way to spend time with the box-fresh and highly anticipated Toyota Hilux GR-S.

We were warmly welcomed in sweltering 36-degree heat by our tour guides in a roofless Toyota Land Cruiser game-viewing vehicle before heading towards our accommodation at Kapama Private Game Lodge. Although the drive was short, it was certainly not lacking in goose-bump moments as we enjoyed several wildlife sightings. The highlight was just metres before the entrance gate, where the long-legged traffic officer of the wild, fondly known as Gerry the Giraffe by Grade R pupils, welcomed us. Gerry had been keeping watch over a fleet of formidable double-cabs waiting outside the reception area.

After meeting up with team Toyota and our fellow media colleagues, it was time for the product briefing and presentation, where the Hilux GR-S's pricing, specs, performance and other details were discussed with the brand's product planner Mthobisi Cele.

BUFF BAKKIE

At the front, the GR-S sports a commanding black grille featuring a horizontal crossbar and Toyota lettering complemented by LED headlamps, alongside vertically stacked air ducts with integrated LED fog lamps. This aggressive nose unashamedly announces its presence in the rear-view mirror of the traffic ahead.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة CARMAG February 2023 من CAR South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة CARMAG February 2023 من CAR South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من CAR SOUTH AFRICA مشاهدة الكل
Toyota Fortuner
CAR South Africa

Toyota Fortuner

Considered by many as the quintessential adventure SUV, the Fortuner is about as strong a used buying proposition as you can get in this segment. We take you through the things to look out for and list two rivals for comparison.

time-read
4 mins  |
CAR July 2024
MIND THE HURDLE
CAR South Africa

MIND THE HURDLE

With a repaired car and a point to prove, Alex Shahini returned for Round 3 of the Toyota GR Cup at Zwartkops Raceway to achieve a career-best finish

time-read
2 mins  |
CAR July 2024
KING OF KILLARNEY
CAR South Africa

KING OF KILLARNEY

For four decades, Denis Joubert was directly involved with the creation, development and ongoing success of Cape Town's international motorsport venue, Killarney. Having just celebrated his 90th birthday, we talk to the man whose contribution to South Africa's motor-racing heritage is priceless....

time-read
6 mins  |
CAR July 2024
Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs
CAR South Africa

Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs

As 4WD SUVS and double cabs grow in popularity, more first-time buyers face the challenge of selecting a vehicle with a drivetrain that best meets their requirements. We explain the key differences between the all-wheel drivetrains available

time-read
6 mins  |
CAR July 2024
Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT
CAR South Africa

Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT

Kia's ever-popular budget hatch has recently received a range of exterior and interior updates - we test the entry-level variant to see if it remains a force to be reckoned with in this highly competitive segment

time-read
3 mins  |
CAR July 2024
Super C
CAR South Africa

Super C

The fastest and most technologically advanced flagship C-Class to date, AMG's C63 S has evolved into an electrified uber-sedan. Has this mighty model forsaken some character in pursuing this status? We strapped our test equipment to the new shooting star.

time-read
4 mins  |
CAR July 2024
Bentley's Brutes
CAR South Africa

Bentley's Brutes

A break in proceedings during an exclusive preview of the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT afforded us an opportunity to sample the stately yet hair-raising Bentayga S

time-read
3 mins  |
CAR July 2024
RUNNING UP THAT HILL
CAR South Africa

RUNNING UP THAT HILL

Now in its 14th year, the Simola Hillclimb continues to combine adrenaline-fuelled competition with showcasing some of the most appealing classics out there in a heady mix that keeps local petrolheads coming...

time-read
3 mins  |
CAR July 2024
BAND OF BROTHERS
CAR South Africa

BAND OF BROTHERS

Complete with rugged bakkie-based underpinnings that encourage off-the-beaten-track venturing, largely proven powertrains that afford maximum range and towing capability, and brand names with enviable respective reputations for reliability, adventure SUVs remain the favourite of thousands of South Africans.

time-read
7 mins  |
CAR July 2024
TWELVE OF THE BEST
CAR South Africa

TWELVE OF THE BEST

Ferrari keeps things suitably old-school with its V12-engined 12Cilindri GT

time-read
2 mins  |
CAR July 2024