Summarize

Toyota allowed a sneak peek into its 2019 new product plans during a State of the Industry presentation at the Kyalami Race Track on Tuesday. 

Topping the list is perhaps the biggest news surrounding SA’s top-seller and Dakar hero; the new Hilux GR Sport – GR for  Gazoo Racing will join the line-up, reaching showrooms mid-year in a limited edition series featuring Gazoo Racing decals, a unique front grille and special off-road biased suspension based on the 2.8 GD-6 4x4 6AT derivative. Good news indeed.

Then the new Subra is on its way – the much hyped Toyota coupe brings back a most significant nametag as a performance flagship – even if its basically a BMW Z4 with a hard top and a Toyota badge. The way of the world?

Also significant is the sleek-looking Corolla C-segment hatch set to replace the outgoing Auris with eye-catching angular head and tail lamps, a wide stance and a high-quality interior it will be powered by the trusted 1.3- and 1.6-litre engines. To be available in XS Manual, XS CVT flagship, XR CVT with optional 6-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission  with 10 pre-programmed shift steps.

Something of a back to the future move for Toyota, the first Corolla hatches were known as Conquests before going on to be called Run-X, then Auris and now it’s full circle back to Corolla.

Also significant and set for release in March 2019, the powerful looking RAV4 brings an all-new American ‘truck’ design language, tough looking honey-comb front grille and all-new petrol 2- and 2.5-litre engines. 

Then the pioneering Prius Hybrid inherits rounder lines with revised front and rear-end treatments and proven 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid powerplant with impressive thermal efficiency of over 40%.

On the Lexus front, the UX Crossover already reached showrooms earlier this with its unique-to-UX spindle grille available in 200 EX, 126kW 200 F Sport and Hybrid UX 250h. Instead the freshened RC 350 F Sport retains all its virtues but includes the latest Lexus design language and sharpened driving dynamics. The silky smooth 232kW 3.5-litre V6 engine is paired with an 8-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission. 

Exciting will be the F model added to the RC coupe range with its high-revving 5-litre V8 engine and 8-speed sports transmission with a whopping 351kW at 7100rpm and 530Nm. Also tantalizing is RC F Track with enthusiast-focused package including carbon fibre body, fixed carbon-fibre rear wing, lightweight aluminium racing wheels, titanium exhaust, improved aerodynamic performance, also 80kg lighter. 

The F Sport luxury flagship will include distinctive F Sport 20-inch alloy wheels and powered by the twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering 310kW and 600Nm via a 10-speed automatic transmission.