Toyota Australia officially confirmed that the current generation of the Hilux will get a mild-hybrid option starting in the first half of 2024, based on the existing turbodiesel powertrain.
The 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine will be upgraded with a 48-Volt mild hybrid system, resulting in a 10% improvement in fuel economy figures. The turbodiesel unit will work together with a small electric motor /generator and a 48-Volt battery, while the power will be transmitted to the wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission.
More: SEA Electric Will Convert 8,500 Toyota Hilux And Land Cruiser To EVs For Mining
Toyota didn’t reveal the detailed specifications but promised “enhanced on and off-road performance” hinting at a slight increase in power and torque figures. Other benefits will include “reduced noise, vibration, and harshness” thanks to the stop/start system. Finally, electrification won’t affect the off-road credentials and the 3,500 kg (7,716 pounds) braked towing capacity of the Hilux.
In Australia, the mild hybrid diesel engine will come standard in the high-spec 4×4 SR5 and Rogue Double Cab trims, or as an option in the 4×4 SR Double Cab. We also expect the electrified model to reach other markets in Asia and Africa. Following its introduction in the Hilux, the same powertrain will also find its way into the mechanically-related Fortuner SUV.
A Toyota Hilux MHEV Concept Was Showcased At The WRC Safari Rally Kenya
Toyota previewed the upcoming production variant with a Hilux GR-S MHEV prototype at the WRC Safari Rally Kenya. The mildly electrified pickup was driven by four-time WRC Champion Juha Kankkunen, while Kenyan actor Jimmi Gathu was the co-driver. Kankkunen said that the Hilux MHEV is a fitting vehicle for Africa’s long-distance drives, using less fuel and producing lower emissions.
On a similar note, Toyota describes mild-hybrid technology as “an important option for immediate CO2 reduction” in regions with limited EV charging infrastructure which is the case even in “well-developed” African countries like Kenya or South Africa.
What About The Next-Gen Hilux?
The current eighth-generation Toyota Hilux is in its twilight years having debuted back in 2015, with two subsequent facelifts in 2017 and in 2020. The company makes no mention of the next-gen Hilux, but according to the latest rumors, it could be ready for a 2025 debut. The new midsize pickup is expected to share its TNGA- underpinnings with the US-spec Toyota Tacoma, and likely bring a heavier dose of electrification into the mix.
Toyota has experimented with various environmentally-friendly solutions based on the current Hilux. One of them is the fully electric Hilux Revo BEV concept that premiered in Thailand in December 2022, and another one is the UK-built Hilux prototype fitted with a Mirai-sourced hydrogen FCEV powertrain. It remains to be seen if those solutions will find their way into production, as part of the next-gen model’s lineup.
