Toyota Hilux MHEV prototype tested at WRC Safari Rally 2023 – 48V mild hybrid system will debut in 2024
Toyota recently confirmed Hilux will be equipped with a 48-volt mild hybrid system by 2024and at the seventh round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Kenya this year, the Japanese demonstrated such a vehicle with the Hilux MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle) concept.
Based on a Hilux GR-S (GR Sport), this prototype doesn’t look much different from the outside, except for an eye-catching paint job with ‘Hybrid’ in large print. The interior doesn’t appear to have changed much, although there appear to be new controls where the ‘ECO’ and ‘PWR’ buttons are normally found in the regular Hilux GR-S.
The Hilux MHEV concept is driven by four-time WRC champion and former Toyota world title winner Juha Kankkunen from Finland, with Jimmi Gathu, a well-known Kenyan actor and media personality, as co. his driver.
It can be said that the show was a great success, Kankkunen stated: “I am 100% sure that this type of car will be very suitable in Africa because there are still long-distance driving and it is difficult to charge the battery. car. You can save fuel, which means less CO2. Africa is a good market for this type of car and you can generate less CO2 emissions with a hybrid car. That is the future.”
This is in line with Toyota’s multi-pronged strategy to achieve carbon neutrality, whereby it will develop different types of powertrains (be it pure internal combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery) hydrogen fuel or electric batteries) to match prevailing market conditions.
According to Toyota, the mild-hybrid system for the Hilux includes a 48-volt battery, a small motor generator and other supporting components. These will be applied to the existing 2.8 turbodiesel four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission to improve fuel economy by around 10%, while maintaining existing capabilities – Fortuner It is also expected to get this electrified powertrain.
For Australia, the Hilux will come with a mild hybrid system as standard on the 4×4 SR5 and Rogue Double Cab versions from the first half of 2024, with the technology offered as an option for the 4×4 SR Double Cab.
There’s no word on whether a 48-volt mild-hybrid system will come to the Hilux on sale in Malaysia, but we assume it’ll likely have to wait if it does. The Hilux MHEV is a proof of concept, but do you want a Hilux with an electrified powertrain?
