They are a constant on roads in the Gulf. Count how many you see on your next drive and you'll be surprised by the number of Toyota Hilux pick-ups you come across, even if you go nowhere near an industrial estate.
The trusty old Hilux isn't the most conspicuous vehicle out there. They can get lost in between the Tata buses in the slow lanes. But they're there, quietly going about their business and probably haven't let their driver down after 200,000-plus kilometres.
It's been battered by the elements, battered by the terrain and probably battered by fellow road users.
So what can you do to improve Toyota's Mr Indestructible? If you said send it to the TRD department for a few bells and whistles, you are wrong. This is getting the Gazoo Racing (GR) treatment.
Scroll through the photo gallery above to see the new car.
GR Sport Hilux joins its big brother on the region's roads
It’s not the first UAE favourite from the Japanese carmaker to have the GR Sport treatment. We had an eye-catching Land Cruiser arrive late last year. But there have been plenty of models that have been redefined by GR Sport since the programme kicked off in the past few years.
We're still waiting for a mean-looking Yaris to shake up our rental market.
We are bringing the GR Sport to one of the strongest players in the lifestyle pick-up segment, adding chassis and suspension tuning to tackle the most extreme off-road conditions
Andy Barratt,
managing director Toyota and Lexus, Al-Futtaim
So, is the GR Sport Hilux for the working man who will be navigating around the capital's Mussaffah roundabouts? Not really. Al-Futtaim are looking to muscle in on a market dominated by the big American pick-ups.
"We are bringing the GR Sport to one of the strongest players in the lifestyle pick-up segment, adding chassis and suspension tuning to tackle the most extreme off-road conditions," says Andy Barratt, managing director Toyota and Lexus, Al-Futtaim. "We are confident that this vehicle will exceed the expectations of those who have waited for it for so long.”
It looks mean, it looks athletic. It has a presence. You will see this one coming with its three-dimensional trademarked front grille and specially designed front bumper. It also features a beefy skid plate, wide arch extensions to fit the 18-inch alloy wheels and tyres, as well as unique door handle and tailgate designs.
And if you haven't seen it yet, you'll probably hear it. This one packs a 4.0-litre V6 — up from the 2.7l standard. You can keep it on Eco-mode or switch to four-wheel drive and it will excel on anything thrown at it thanks to a focus on suspension and steering during its design.
Similar to the GR Sport Land Cruiser, there's a tonne of technology added in the guise of driver aids, cameras and parking sensors, because you won't want to scratch this one.
Inside, the Hilux gets the GR branding and touches throughout — and an eight-inch infotainment unit — so your workman has no excuses taking the wrong turn. But priced at Dh154,000 ($41,927), I don't think your home delivery from a warehouse will be arriving in one soon.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
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'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
Match info
Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4 (Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)
Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
25-MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze
On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
