Toyota takes on the Holden SS Ute and HSV Maloo: New HiLux GR Sport revealed with epic lowrider variant that steals its design cues from the LandCruiser GR Sport

The Toyota HiLux GR Sport has been revealed in all its low-riding glory, with the Japanese giant's new toughened-up ute harking back to the glory days of Australia's car-based performance utes.

Detailed on Toyota's Thai website, the toughened-up ute is more than just a sticker pack, with high-rider and low-rider versions, a grille lifted from the LC300 GR Sport, and new skid plates featuring.

But let's start with the low-rider model, which, style-wise, reminds us of Australia's awesome performance utes – like the HSV Maloo or Holden SS Ute – with its tarmac-hugging body kit and low-rider style.

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The locally developed variant gets new curb-hugging side-skirts, a redesigned front end and bodykit, and a black mesh grille that seems to be borrowed from the GR Sport variant of the new LC300. It also gets a rear diffuser, 17-inch black alloys and new LED headlights.

The high-riding model gets the same new grille, as well as a new black skid plate, a black sports bar and 18-inch alloys.

Both utes feature a sportier interior, with a GR-branded steering wheel, alloy pedals and a sportier interior treatment, as well as key safety upgrades including a 360-degree camera system, a blind-spot monitor and rear-cross traffic alert.

Toyota is yet to detail any engine or suspension changes, so expect the HiLux's recently upgraded 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, good for 150kW and 500Nm, paired with a choice of six-speed auto or six-speed manual transmissions.

It is unclear at this point whether either GR Sport model will make its way outside Thailand at this point, though Australia has flagged its interest in a full-blooded GR variant, expected to share its 3.3-litre twin-turbo-diesel engine with the LandCruiser 300 Series.