That’s right, the legendary Hilux pick-up has been given the Gazoo Racing treatment

The Toyota Hilux pick-up truck - that of indestructible, almost reservoir-conquering, Pole-reaching fame on planet TG - is gunning for its second victory at the Dakar Rally this week. And to mark the occasion the Japanese firm has revealed a new top-of-the-range GR Sport edition.

So what happens when you take the world’s toughest vehicle and add a splash of Gazoo Racing inspiration? Well, not a lot under the bonnet: the Hilux GR Sport keeps the standard truck’s more powerful 2.8-litre engine, meaning 201bhp and 369lb ft of torque (around 500Nm) via a six-speed automatic transmission.

Towing capacity is unchanged at 3.5 tonnes, and you can haul up to 1,000kg of stuff in the load bay. It’s double cab only, by the way.

The big change comes in the form of a bespoke suspension setup, which benefits from new monotube shock absorbers and stiffer front coil springs. The end result is better damping, faster response, sharper handling, more straight line performance and increased grip, according to Toyota.

Features like a limited slip differential and Active Traction Control were already standard, and the truck’s creators say previous upgrades have allowed them to improve comfort levels by reducing noise, vibration and harshness.

It goes without saying that there are cosmetic changes too: at the front there’s a black grille with a dedicated G-pattern mesh and a central bar that references the fourth-generation Hilux of the 1980s.

There are new, larger front fog light surrounds, 17-inch alloy wheels with a contrasting black and machine finish, and all-terrain tyres for reasons that are self-explanatory.

Inside there are new sports front seats trimmed with leather, synthetic suede and red stitching, plus paddle controls for manual shifting and aluminium sports pedals. The spec is based on the existing Hilux Invincible trim, and includes a JBL sound system, navigation, heated seats front and rear, LED headlights, smart entry, dual-zone air conditioning and off-road tech in the shape of Downhill Assist Control.

Prices start from £37,551 (around RM213k excluding VAT), with non-business buyers faced with the full on-the-road figure of £44,995 (around RM255k). Order books open later this month, with deliveries commencing in the summer.

Want more GR goodness? Check out what they did with the GR 86 back in July…