VOLUME 8 NEWS
Words by Tim O’Shea
5 MIN READ
First: The GR DKR HiLux T1+ still looking good after finishing its winning journey.
Second: Nasser Al-Attiyah and co-driver Mathieu Baumel celebrate their second win in 2 years.
Third: Battling through wet sand was just one of this year’s challenges.
First run in 1978, the Dakar has built a reputation so tough that competitors consider simply finishing the incredible rally to be an achievement. This year was no exception; just 235 of the 355 vehicles that started the 2023 Dakar made it to the finish line. Wherever the Dakar Rally goes it finds terrain and conditions that put drivers, riders and vehicles through hell. And yet Toyota vehicles have finished every epic running of the race in its long history.
First: 8,500km of hard racing takes its toll.
Second: Even the most treacherous dunes were no match for the HiLux.
Third: The winning TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team rose above the rest.
In fact, Toyota’s global reputation for reliability and ruggedness has made them a favourite for privateers and race teams alike. In the 2016 race, 42.4% of the vehicles that finished were Toyotas.
This year’s GR DKR Hilux T1+ was powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine donated by the Toyota LandCruiser 300. The GR DKR Hilux T1+ engine puts out 298kW of power and 660Nm of torque using the standard Toyota turbos and intercooler. The car also features a suspension system with a travel of 350mm, allowing the driver to make the most of the 37-inch tall and 320mm wide tyres.
First: Nasser Al-Attiyah inside the GR DKR Hilux T1+’s cockpit.
Second: Only a helicopter could follow the GR DKR Hilux T1+.
Third: Even mud couldn’t slow down the TGR team.
Nasser Al-Attiyah and co-driver Mathieu Baumel in their TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GR DKR Hilux T1+ dominated this year’s rally, the 45th running of the iconic event. A race with such tough terrain that many competitors commented that while their cars might be able to take the punishment, their bodies may not. Fighting against all competitors was the weather too, proving to be bitterly cold, and uncharacteristically wet.
A lot is said about how gruelling the Dakar Rally is, but there are clearly moments of fun too.
Al-Attiyah and Baumel started the Dakar well, finishing the first stage in sixth place, but with the top spot within grasp. The Dakar now consists of 14 stages, rather than the previous 12, so they knew that they had plenty of time and distance to improve their position. They didn't have to wait long; at the end of Stage 3 they were already in first place with a huge overall lead of 13min 20sec. It was now up to the HiLux to deliver the unbreakable performance and legendary reliability it is famous for.
First: It takes 37” wheels to tackle the Dakar with confidence.
Second: A breathtaking ride over a breathtaking landscape.
Thankfully the 2023 GR DKR Hilux T1+ had a refined suspension setup and other new components that improved reliability and durability. Even in the so-called Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia – an area in the south-eastern corner of the country, known for its massive sand dunes – the pair held a steady and measured pace to hold onto their lead. Others were not so lucky, the mostly uninhabitable landscape finishing the race for many teams.
Winners are grinners.
The closing stage of the rally traversed 136km of tough and muddy terrain between the bivouac at Al-Hofuf and Dammam. But again, car number 200 triumphed, holding a steady pace and protecting their lead. When their GR DKR Hilux T1+ crossed the finish line in the Saudi Arabian city of Dammam on 15 January, their winning margin was 1hr 20min 49sec.
HiLux GR Sport. Pre-production model shown.
Inspired by a history of motorsport success, Toyota is launching the HiLux GR Sport in late 2023. This Dakar-inspired HiLux builds on the renowned durability and off-road performance of the core model with a tough rally raid design, intuitive handling and powerful driving performance. When released, it will be the most performance-focused diesel HiLux to ever hit domestic turf, with a 10% increase in power and torque, now outputting 165kW and 550Nm of dune-crushing muscle. But we know that off-road domination takes more than extra power. The HiLux GR Sport boasts whoop-ready, high-performance front and rear suspension, with new wishbones bolstered by stiff and precise KYB monotube shock absorbers. You’ll also find a newly-designed skid plate, angled for steep climbs and descents and heavy-duty rock rails to protect low clearance areas and take big impacts in tough terrain.
While you might not be lucky enough to take on the mighty Dakar, the HiLux GR Sport offers you a taste of the dominant GR DKR Hilux T1+ and the magic of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing.
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