2024 Toyota HiLux mild-hybrid to bring only minor efficiency gains

The 2024 Toyota HiLux ute will gain a fuel-saving 48-volt mild-hybrid system next year for its 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, however the upgrade will only produce minor efficiency gains.

Confirmed for an Australian launch, the Toyota HiLux will miss out on the Japanese car-maker’s traditional series/parallel hybrid system for a simpler, lighter mild-hybrid set-up, but the 48-volt mild-hybrid system was still expected to realise a 10 per cent economy improvement.

Now, fresh details released by Toyota Europe overnight show the figure will only be “up to five per cent” and that some of that increase comes from the enhanced automatic engine idle-stop system, which allows the ute longer engine-off periods.

On a more positive note, the mild-hybrid system has been developed to be as light as possible and should bring useful performance benefits for HiLux, particularly off-road.

The lightweight 48-volt battery will be located under the back seat and will weigh just 7.6kg.

The additional power pack will then be charged under deceleration and feed power back to a simple belt-driven integrated starter/generator that can assist the 2.8-litre engine when under load, delivering an extra 12kW and 65Nm for short bursts.

That small boost is not thought to alter the current ute’s stated acceleration or top speed, but should improve responses both down low and in the mid-range for stronger overtaking punch.

Currently the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel is offered with either 150kW/500Nm (manual models produce 420Nm) or 165kW/550Nm for the auto-only HiLux GR Sport.

It’s not been confirmed which variants will get the option of the mild-hybrid tech.

As well as being claimed to make the HiLux more comfortable to drive in traffic, courtesy of its quicker restarts, the mild-hybrid system is also said to improve stability off-road, particularly on steep descents, thanks to its regenerative braking.

The extra power boost is also said to smooth out the HiLux’s power delivery over rough terrain.

Also helping performance off the beaten track is a lower idle speed that drops from 720rpm to 600rpm, making it easier to control.

Fully developed for life in the rough, the HiLux mild-hybrid gets extra waterproofing for its new electrical components to ensure it can still wade in depths of up to 700mm.

Payload, meanwhile, remains unchanged at 1000kg (depending on the model), while the Toyota truck’s maximum braked towing capacity is still 3500kg.

Pricing will be announced closer to its launch that has now been locked-in for mid-2024 for the European market.

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