The head of Toyota in South Africa has confirmed to Cars.co.za that a new Hilux GR-Sport flagship derivative – which has yet to be officially revealed – is due to arrive in 2027…
- 9th-gen Hilux set for GR-Sport treatment
- Flagship derivative has yet to be revealed
- Toyota SA boss promises “exciting” model
- Expect local launch at some point in 2027
The head of Toyota South Africa Motors has confirmed to Cars.co.za that the locally built 9th-generation Hilux double-cab bakkie range will gain an as-yet-unrevealed GR-Sport flagship derivative – and that it’s due to launch at some point in 2027.
Andrew Kirby, President and CEO of Toyota SA Motors, revealed the news during a wide-ranging interview in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s SA Auto Week 2026 event in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal earlier in October.
When asked when the local market could expect a GR-Sport version of the new Prospecton-built Hilux double-cab bakkie, Kirby replied: “Next year sometime”. Though he promised the model would be “an exciting product”, he added “that’s about all I can say”.
While Kirby didn’t confirm whether the new Hilux GR-Sport – or “GR-S”, for short – would feature the widebody configuration of the previous iteration, it seems likely considering the popularity of that model (and indeed the investment made in developing the wide-track set-up).
The powertrain has likewise yet to be confirmed, though it wouldn’t surprise us to see the uprated 165 kW/550 Nm version of Toyota’s 2.8-litre turbodiesel, 4-cylinder engine (which otherwise makes 150 kW and 500 Nm) carried over from the previous Hilux GR-Sport. Expect a 6-speed automatic transmission and 4×4 to again ship standard.
The upcoming GR-Sport version of the 9th-gen Hilux will in all likelihood feature bold over-fenders (matched to its likely widened track), model-specific wheels (no doubt wrapped in chunky tyres), upgraded suspension, a bespoke front-end design (perhaps featuring a unique grille treatment) and the requisite smattering of “GR” logos. The cabin will surely also score various upgrades.
As a reminder, Mzansi has seen 3 versions of the Hilux GR Sport so far, all based on the 8th-gen bakkie. The first came in mid-2019, with a revised iteration – complete with the aforementioned extra power and torque – hitting the local market in September 2022 (both, of course, featured standard bodies). Then, in March 2024, the widebody Hilux GR Sport III launched.
That derivative fell away in June 2026, when the first variants in the 9th-gen Hilux range went on sale. There were initially 7 derivatives – 5 double cabs and 2 extended cabs – all featuring the 2.8GD-6 engine and 6-speed auto, before an 8th double-cab variant was quietly added.
A pair of 9th-gen single cabs hit the market in August 2026, while the familiar 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine is scheduled to join the local 9th-gen Hilux line-up in the opening quarter of 2027. And now we know that later next year the new GR-Sport will slot in towards the very top of the portfolio…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is a new Toyota Hilux GR-Sport confirmed for South Africa?
A: Yes, Andrew Kirby, President and CEO of Toyota South Africa Motors, confirmed to Cars.co.za that a new GR-Sport flagship derivative based on the 9th-generation Hilux will arrive in South Africa in 2027.
Q: What engine and transmission can we expect in the new 9th-gen Hilux GR-Sport?
A: While official specs are still unrevealed, it is expected to retain the uprated 2.8-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine producing 165 kW and 550 Nm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 4×4 drivetrain.
Q: Where will the 9th-generation Toyota Hilux GR-Sport be produced?
A: Like the rest of the 9th-generation Hilux line-up sold locally, the new GR-Sport derivative will likely be produced locally at Toyota SA’s Prospecton plant in KwaZulu-Natal.
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Ryan Bubear
Having written about everything from sport and politics to crime, Ryan eventually settled on motoring. For well over 15 years, he's been penning articles – both online and in print – about the broader automotive industry, though he's particularly fascinated by vehicle-sales statistics. A freelance writer and editor, Ryan has owned a 1971 Austin Mini Mk3 for 20-plus years.
