The debut of the 9th-generation Toyota Hilux has generated a wave of mixed reactions among pickup fans. Much of the discussion centers on the model’s familiar engineering as Toyota continues to develop the Hilux using its IMV platform, which has been refined and proven for more than two decades now. While the 9th-gen Hilux brought noticeable improvements, some enthusiasts expected a more dramatic shift.
This has fueled curiosity, raising the next logical question: What about the new Toyota Hilux GR Sport (GR-S)? While Toyota has yet to announce a GR-S version of the 9th-gen Hilux, a recent YouTube video may answer the question, sort of. A YouTuber and digital artist, who goes by the name Theottle, uploaded a video featuring his reimagining of what the new Toyota Hilux GR-S could look like.
Using a photo-editing tool, he took official images of the new Hilux and tweaked them to create a rendering of what he believes a new GR-S Hilux might look like. He clarified in the video description that his rendering isn’t based on any new material. Instead, he took inspiration from the 8th-generation Hilux’s GR-S variant, as it also uses the same Toyota IMV platform.
Going by his renditions, we can expect the next Hilux GR-S to carry improvements that are significant but may bring a sense of familiarity, which could entice new and long-time enthusiasts. These include wider track, revised suspension, and rear disc brakes. If Toyota follows the same direction as past Hilux GR-S releases, enthusiasts could reasonably anticipate a more aggressive stance, sport-tuned dampers, unique wheels, and sportier exterior and interior touches that distinguish it from standard variants.
What makes this “what if” scenario compelling is that Toyota has a track record of launching GR-S versions across several nameplates, including the outgoing 8th-gen Hilux. Given that history, it’s not surprising that fans will anticipate a new iteration at some point. Until official information is published, digital interpretations like the one in the video function purely as creative previews of what a future GR-badged Hilux might look like.
