Hilux GR–S meets Lion Man Cruiser |
What is the link between the ‘Lion Man”, Cambridge-educated conservationist Dr Philip Stander, and Hollywood superstar and activist Leonardo DiCaprio? We found the answer while visiting the barefoot Doctor on the Skeleton Coast of Namibia, adding some GRrrowl to the occasion with the powerful new Toyota Hilux GR–Sport …
There was a spring in his step and a purposeful glint in his eye as he descended from his Land Cruiser to greet us. Dr Philip Stander, observably proud of his new steed, immediately proceeded in showing us around the purpose-built vehicle while saying, “I do not have a lot of time. I must find the lioness I am tracking before nightfall, so she can be collared …”
We were standing close to the mouth of the Huab Lagoon on the Skeleton Coast of Namibia, having travelled over 2 000 km from Gauteng in an Arizona Red Hilux GR–Sport – the latest, and most powerful, model in the ever-popular Hilux bakkie range – to meet him … and his new, purpose-built, and extensively kitted-out Cruiser.
It was good to see the change in his demeanour, although physically he has not changed much. Still rugged and gnarled as the desert landscape – his **heimat** for the last thirty years – and barefoot, with a wild beard. But now with a resolute look and a confident step …
When last we visited him at the beginning of this year, craggy-faced Dr Flip was not in a good space. The desert lion project and associated Desert Lion Conservation Trust went through tough times due to the Covid–pandemic and funding all but dried up …
This made it difficult to keep up with his research, yet he carried on regardless – tracking his beloved lions by day and by night in his old, trusty but slowly decaying Land Cruiser, now desperately in need of replacement.
Yet, his research did bear fruit, culminating in a follow-up to the award-winning documentary ‘Vanishing Kings – Lions of the Namib Desert’. Called ‘Vanishing Kings II – Desert Lion Legacy’, it tells the story of a male desert lion and the most remarkable lion coalition that has ever existed.
Leonardo and the LRF
So, how did the change in fortunes come about? Well, recently the international Wildlife Conservation Network and the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation launched the Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) in a concerted effort to stop the crisis of the “vanishing lions” (lion populations have dropped from 200 000 a century ago to just over 20 000 today).
The LRF, supported by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, granted funds for Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation in Namibia to create a ‘Lion Ranger’ program which will help communities keep livestock safe and reduce the killing of lions.
This welcome funding made it possible for Dr Flip to purchase a new Land Cruiser and with the help of a variety of local sponsors and organisations the vehicle was converted in Swakopmund to his plans and specifications to suit his specific requirements.
A spacious, high cab that serves as his office, lookout post, tracking centre, and mobile home (complete with curtains to keep the harsh sunlight out) was designed and bolted onto the Cruiser chassis. A huge sound system – to attract the lions, or to chase them away (they hate the music of Jack Parow, for instance), dependent on the situation – has been installed.
The driver’s compartment, with numerous custom-made brackets for computer screens and iPads, looks like a messy space agency control centre. Besides full connectivity (via satellite link) it has infra-red camera capability for tracking (and filming) the lions at night.
Also new is a dedicated roof turret – to observe the lions without having to leave the vehicle – and there is a dedicated camera mount on the driver’s door (used to good effect for tracking shots …). The cab, he said, is spacious enough to carry equipment, spares, and provisions for trips of up to two weeks.
Showing us the party trick of the new Cruiser, Dr Flip became quite animated: It was clear he was particularly proud of this ingeniously engineered full-electric rear hatch, operated from inside the vehicle or via cell phone signal, designed to carry nearly a ton to lift and transport a comatose lion, or fit it with a collar, after it has been darted.
Adding some GRrrr …
Mechanically, the Land Cruiser is standard, except for a heavy-duty suspension with bigger shocks and stiffer springs to deal with the harsh environment – much like our dust-coated Hilux GR–S sported new monotube shock absorbers and stiffer coil springs to deliver improved high-speed stability and handling response.
We specifically tested this aspect while negotiating the quite smooth salty sand roads meandering close to the Skeleton Coast shoreline, and was duly impressed, particularly by the controlled rebound of the shocks keeping the Hilux stable over humps at high speed.
While designed to be the performer in the Hilux range, the tyre package of this second iteration of the GR–Sport (thankfully with a much toned-down paint and decal package) featuring bespoke 17–inch alloy wheels with a titanium finish, has been revised with taller profile 265/65R17 rubber, offering enhanced off-road performance.
On the sweeping and undulating dust roads it made us feel like we were doing our own Dakar – while ironically, and unbeknown to us, the real Toyota Gazoo Racing team was busy with final shakedown tests for Dakar in their growling GR DKR Hilux T1+ vehicles …
Unique design features differentiating the GR–S from its stablemates include a prominent black grille with a horizontal cross bar finished in a carbon-fibre pattern and chrome Toyota lettering (mimicking the real Dakar Hilux vehicles), vertically stacked air ducts with integrated LED fog lamps, bumpers based on the Raider design, and wider black overfenders with contrasting inserts.
Black mirror caps and door handles, graphite-coloured side steps, and a rear styling bar with GR branding create a sporty contrast on this hero model, and customers can opt for GR side decals (ordered and installed as a dealer option) on the doors to add to the visual drama
Road Manners
On the long, busy N14 from Johannesburg to Upington we appreciated the interior design changes, including the new instrument cluster with a cog-like metallic bezel, red needles and unique gauge face, and sporty aluminium pedals (with rubber inserts). The perforated leather-trim steering wheel is decorated with red contrast stitching and GR badging, as well as the push start button and centre console.
The brushed finish in Legend models has been replaced by attractive carbon-fibre trim complemented by red accent panels, the comfortable front seats (with power adjustment for the driver’s seat) feature Alcantara inserts, and there are GR badging on the headrests.
With temperatures reaching 35ºC, the dual-zone climate control was appreciated, as well as the air-conditioned upper glove box and cupholders in front of the air vents (to keep cool drinks chilled). The familiar infotainment system is retained but a new panoramic view monitor, providing surround camera and a bird’s eye view of the vehicle surroundings, came in particularly handy when traversing obstacles.
All this kit (also including Toyota Safety Sense active safety aids) makes the GR–S more desirable but the clincher is the (abnormal for the grade) engine power increase to 165 kW (+15), with torque ramped up by 50 Nm (to 550 Nm). Accomplished via a special ECU calibration, it really perks up the hero Hilux, giving it Ranger Raptor matching performance, also in terms of high-speed cross-country prowess.
Even so, we used the Power driving mode sparingly (incidentally, we found the added aluminium paddle shifters for the six-speed auto transmission superfluous, except for holding a selected gear), favouring Eco mode on our 5 000 km long trip. Over the distance we averaged around 10 ℓ/100 km, compared to the claimed 8 ℓ/100 km.
As for Dr Flip, we do trust he did find the lioness roaming the Huab River mouth with his new DiCaprio-gifted Land Cruiser, as she needed to be collared before the holiday season to ensure the safety of the fishermen and anglers descending on the area over this time …
Text and Images: Ferdi de Vos
