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The Toyota Hilux has established a worldwide reputation for exceptional strength and durability, faithfully serving its owners and drivers in the world’s most challenging environments. During that time, it has evolved to become a genuine dual-use vehicle: it has retained all the toughness and reliability required for serious work duties while offering the comfort, on-road poise and safety for day-to-day and leisure driving.
This evolution has entered a new phase with the introduction of the model’s first electrified powertrain, the Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48V.
The 48V mild hybrid system strengthens the Hilux’s proposition as an ideal partner for business and commercial users, delivering multiple benefits. Performance is smoother, quieter and more refined, whether driving on standard roads or tackling tougher terrain. Critically, this is achieved without compromising the pick-up’s off-road prowess – notably there is no impact on its deep water (700mm) wading or its load-carrying capabilities. This has been achieved by ensuring components such as the battery are positioned high up on the engine and using a fabric layer in the structure of the timing belt – a Toyota first.
In the UK the new powertrain is available exclusively in the Invincible X Double Cab model (with auto transmission), on sale now.
New Toyota 48V Hybrid system
Hilux is the first model to use the new Toyota 48V Hybrid system. This mild hybrid powertrain retains the strengths of the pick-up’s proven 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine and introduces a new electric motor-generator, a 48V lithium-ion hybrid battery and a DC-DC converter.
These new components have all been designed for simple integration, avoiding the need for complex adjustments to the powertrain layout.
Another key consideration was to ensure the system can withstand the kind of harsh operating conditions the Hilux is likely to encounter. For instance, new parts, including the motor-generator, are located high enough on the engine to maintain the vehicle’s 700mm wading capability.
Electric motor-generator
The electric motor-generator – a permanent magnet synchronous unit – is driven by the engine and in turn charges the lithium-ion hybrid battery. It provides multiple benefits that make driving easier, smoother and quieter in all conditions – both on-road and off. Its compact dimensions helped make the hybrid system easy to integrate with Hilux’s existing powertrain.
Its benefits include a regenerative braking function, recovering energy produced every time the driver comes off the throttle. Combined with engine braking, this saves fuel, makes driving easier and gives natural-feeling deceleration. In on-road driving, acceleration when starting off and deceleration are smoother, linear and natural-feeling, contributing to a more composed and comfortable ride. The power assistance provided by the electric motor-generator also reduces the engine load in low-efficiency running.
When covering rougher, off-road surfaces, the motor generator adds to Hilux’s ability to overcome obstacles. Controllability at low speeds is further helped by a 20 per cent reduction in the engine’s idling speed, from 720 to 600rpm.
The motor-generator’s operating status is indicated in the driver’s multi-information display with a read-out showing CHG (energy regeneration), ECO and PWR (providing assist in both cases).
Smoother, quicker, quieter stop-start performance
The stop-start system delivers a more comfortable drive in traffic, with the 48V Hybrid system enabling quicker and quieter restart response.
The electric motor-generator operates in place of a conventional starter motor and is always connected which means restart is enabled even at high engine speeds and there is less delay in immediate restarts after stopping.
Auto-stopping is provided in heavy traffic, or at times when the driver accidentally restarts the engine by reducing their pressure on the brake pedal. The driver can set their preference for stop and start performance, selecting NORMAL or LONG in the vehicle’s multi-information display. When choosing LONG, the engine’s idling stop time when the air conditioning is operating is increased.
When the vehicle is on an uphill gradient, a slight delay might occur between engine restart and the generation of drive torque. As an auxiliary function, the stop and start system will maintain brake pressure until the necessary drive torque is generated, to support smooth start-off performance. Also, on level surfaces, any excess drive torque produced by the engine speed racing on restart is offset.
Injection volume control has been optimised to support the system’s responsiveness, balanced against the level of shock experienced during acceleration.
Lithium-ion hybrid battery
The 48V lithium-ion hybrid battery has 13 cells and a 4.3Ah capacity. It weighs just 7.6kg and, thanks to the use of small internal components, is sufficiently compact to be housed beneath the rear seats, with minimal impact on cabin space. When fully charged, the battery can supply up to an additional 12kW of power and 65Nm of torque to the powertrain at start-off.
Both the hybrid battery and the low-profile DC-DC converter are protected against water ingress, and cooling air is drawn into the battery from the front of the vehicle, with a lower temperature than the cabin air. A filter helps prevent the build-up of dust in the battery’s cooling paths and fan, which helps prevent deterioration of battery performance from high temperatures.
Advanced safety provisions
The Hilux Hybrid 48V is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense technology to provide occupants and other road users with world-class protection from many common accident risks.
An enhanced Pre-Collision System (PCS) can better detect pedestrians at night, bicyclists during daytime, and oncoming vehicles or pedestrians at intersections when making turns. When such hazards are detected, the system issues audible and visual alerts before applying braking force if required.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Road Sign Assist (RSA) allows the driver to quickly adjust the speed in line with changes in the limit. The ACC can also automatically slow the vehicle to ensure an appropriate speed through highway bends.
A strong, stable ride
The new Hilux Hybrid 48V has plenty of street presence, measuring 5,325mm long, up to 1,900mm wide and 1,865mm high. It’s a practical pick-up, the double cab format matched to a 1,555mm long bed. The mild hybrid system in no way diminishes the load-carrying capability: payload is up to 1,000kg and towing capacity is 3,500kg.
The classic body-on-frame architecture and ladder frame chassis are key to its strength, durability and torsional rigidity. The rear suspension’s hard-wearing leaf springs and twin shock absorbers provide sure-footed off-road performance and SUV-like on-road comfort and handling. Hilux’s “go-anywhere” credentials are supported by a running ground clearance of 310mm and approach and departure angles at 29 and 27 degrees respectively.
2.8-litre turbodiesel engine
The Hilux’s engine, a DOHC 16-valve unit, generates a maximum 201bhp/204 DIN hp/150 kW at 3,400rpm and a muscular 500Nm of torque between 1,600 and 2,800 rpm. It features common rail fuel injection, a variable nozzle turbocharger and a water-cooled intercooler. Exhaust emission control features include a particulate filter, Selective Catalytic Reduction and additional urea injection. In common with other Hilux models, the Hybrid 48V is compatible with HVO100 diesel, a non-fossil fuel made from 100 per cent renewable sources.
8 Westerton Road, East Mains Industrial Estate, Broxburn
West Lothian EH52 5AU
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