- Toyota is secretly working on a mild hybrid powertrain for its diesel-powered vehicles
- The new diesel mild-hybrid powertrain is expected to power the vehicles like Hilux & Fortuner
- Toyota is already a global leader in petrol hybrid powertrain technology
Toyota Hilux is a lifestyle pickup truck that is extremely capable when it comes to offroading. According to rumors and media reports, Toyota is secretly working on the development of a diesel mild hybrid powertrain that will power future versions of its diesel SUVs like Hilux, Fortuner, Land Cruiser Prado, etc. The new diesel mild-hybrid powertrain is expected to be initially launched in the Australian market. It will thereafter reach other markets like India. Rumors suggest that this upcoming mild hybrid tech will be compatible with all the Toyota vehicles that run on the 2.8 litre 4 cylinder diesel engine.
Toyota is the global leader in petrol hybrid technology and its hybrid vehicles like Camry Hybrid, Innova Hycross Hybrid, etc are famous for their real-world fuel efficiency of up to 50%. However, the diesel mild hybrid powertrain being developed by Toyota wouldn't be that fuel efficient as it's a mild hybrid tech and not a strong hybrid tech like in the case of the Innova Hycross or Camry Hybrid. Still, it would help the hardcore offroading SUVs like Hilux by increasing the fuel efficiency numbers by a significant margin.
The Toyota Hilux is currently offered in India in a single-engine option i.e. a 2.8 litre 4-cylinder diesel engine generating 204 PS of power, 420 Nm of torque in the manual transmission option, and 500 Nm of torque in the automatic transmission option. The available transmission options are a 6-speed manual with iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The Hilux comes paired with a 4WD system with low range mode, electronic differential lock, and auto-limited slip differential.
Verdict: After the introduction of the mild hybrid powertrain in the Hilux, this hardcore offroad pickup is expected to become much more fuel efficient, and smooth, along with being extremely capable. The diesel mild-hybrid tech being developed by Toyota might prove to be a game-changing technology if it is able to increase the fuel efficiency of these diesel-guzzling SUVs by even 10 to 20 percent.
