The wait is almost over! The arrival of Australia's first-ever Toyota Hilux GR Sport is set for this September. And by the looks of it, the Ford Ranger Raptor should be worried.

With a starting price of just $73,990 plus on-road costs (around ₱2.7 million), the HiLux GR Sport is not your average pick-up truck or the Hilux GR-S we've come to know, for that matter. Oh no! The Hilux GR Sport is packed with mind-boggling upgrades, including the most powerful diesel engine ever seen in a Hilux, a beefed-up suspension system, and jaw-dropping new styling.

"We've taken the legendary Hilux and sprinkled it with some Aussie magic to create the ultimate performance machine," gushed Sean Hanley, the super-stoked Toyota Australia VP of Sales, Marketing, and Franchise Operations. "Believe us, folks, this ute will blow your socks off!"

A monster on and off the road

Picture this: a rugged, already-wide-track platform that's been tweaked and tuned to perfection, giving the Toyota Hilux GR Sport a 15mm height increase and a widened track width of 135mm at the front and 155mm at the rear. We told you it's not your average pickup!

But there's more! Future owners should brace themselves for an off-road adventure like no other, thanks to the fitted 265/65R17 Bridgestone Dueler AT tires hugging unique black 17-inch Dakar-style alloy wheels.

It also has disc brakes in all four corners - 338mm x 28mm four-piston fixed front and 312mm x 18mm single-piston floating calipers at the rear. And it wouldn't be a Gazoo Racing finish without the red calipers, wouldn't it?

The muscle to back it up

What's under the hood, you ask? Prepare to be blown away!

The Hilux GR Sport boasts a 1GD 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine that roars to life with an astonishing 224 PS of power and a mind-boggling 550 Nm of torque! Contrast that with the Hilux GR-S' 200 PS and 500 Nm numbers. And with its six-speed automatic transmission perfectly tuned to match, this beast looks unstoppable!

Oh, but the fun doesn't stop there! Feast your eyes on the jaw-dropping exterior upgrades - a fierce black mesh grille, bold 'TOYOTA' lettering, and a proud GR badge that tells you it has had a performance and styling massage.

And let's not forget the front bumper, designed to improve the approach angle, with aero ducts, new fog lamp bezels, silver lower chin molding, and a skid plate for added protection. Say goodbye to hesitation and hello to full-throttle adventure!

There's a pre-installed towbar, towball, and trailer wiring harness at the back because, you know, Aussies love towing things with their utes.

Sporty interiors to match

Inside, the Toyota Hilux GR Sport gets even sportier with rally-inspired features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, paddle shifters, and GR logos adorning the front sports seats. The grey stitching and red seat belts add a touch of flair, making you feel like a rally champion!

But wait, there's more! This Aussie-spec ute has a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system, perfect for rocking out on your off-road escapades.

Beyond orange

Choose from five GAZOO Racing-inspired colors: Glacier White, Frosted White, Stunning Silver, Eclipse Black, and Feverish Red. Feeling edgy? Opt for a black-painted roof with Glacier White, Frosted White, or Feverish Red.

The Toyota Hilux GR Sport is about to take Australia by storm, leaving competitors eating its dust! This leaves us wondering if Toyota Motor Philippines will be brave enough to bring such an expensive but loaded truck into our market.

But stranger things have happened, so let's keep our eyes peeled.