In a bid to further democratize performance and make it accessible to more people, Toyota has expanded their Gazoo Racing Sport brand models in the local market with the launch of the Hilux GR-S and Fortuner GR-S after the Vios GRS and the GR Supra and GR Yaris.
“We mark another milestone as we combine the reliable IMV platform with Toyota Gazoo Racing’s spirit of thrill!,” Toyota Motor Philippines, Corp. president Atsuhiro Okamoto said at the official model launch.
The GR-S badge symbolizes the development of the vehicle guided by Toyota Gazoo Racing-Toyota’s global motorsports division focusing on specialized research and production of cars built with racing DNA.
“When Toyota Motor Philippines first introduced the IMV series in 2005, we had a vision of bringing dependable and durable vehicles perfect for the needs of Filipinos. Fifteen years later, our IMVs continue to be a worthy companion for adventures, daily trips, and tough demands of the country’s many roads,” Okamoto added. “Under the development of Toyota Gazoo Racing, we are bringing the motorsports excitement to your daily drives with a sportier, heart-racing reinvention that pushes the limits of the models we know and love.”
Both PPVs offer enhanced looks to separate them from their lesser variants, exclusive colors to help them stand out immediately in the sea of SUVs and pick-ups, added safety and convenience equipment to ensure the latest models are more sophisticated and tech-savvy, and lastly, improved performance thanks to revised suspension and brakes. First up is the Fortuner GR-S.
The country’s best selling 7-seat SUV gets a redesigned front and rear bumper, fog lamp garnish, body color arch mould and back door garnish, and bi-tone rear spoiler. The Hilux GR-S meanwhile gets a black gloss G-MESH front grille design with Toyota emblem across the model’s front body color overfenders, sports bar in gloss black.
Both models get black-tinted clear coating on its 18” alloy wheels with machine cut finish as well as racy interiors that match the aggressive exteriors: red, black, and smoke silver metallic accented GR interior for both models, leather with red stitching on the wheel, aluminum pedals, and sport type front seats with suede and leather material with red stitching.
The Fortuner GR-S, meanwhile, gets Matte Carbon trims on the center cluster. They also get 8-Way Power Adjust seats and dual-zone A/C for a more comfortable ride, and the Hilux GR-S now comes with paddle shifters.
A first for the Hilux lineup, the GR-S variant also now gets the Panoramic View Monitor. The Fortuner GR-S also get safety features found in the LTD and Q variants – Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control under Toyota Safety Sense, and the Panoramic View Monitor. Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert is also available for the Fortuner GR-S.
The Fortuner GR-S and the Hilux GR-S both get new front Gazoo Racing-spec brake calipers that offer better feel and modulation with better fade resistance. The new monotube type suspension provides for a more stable, comfortable ride, and race-like steering feel. Think tarmac and gravel spec suspension settings for a sharper, more engaging driving experience. The Fortuner GR-S also gets rear GR Brakes for better control, allowing for more precision under dynamic driving conditions.
As Toyota expands the Gazoo Racing Sport brand, this can only bode well for local car enthusiasts looking for added performance with brand-new car reliability from the country market leader and one of the most trusted brands in motoring.
