Toyota explains its new 48V mild hybrid system for diesel engines

Toyota has released a five-minute video on YouTube explaining its new 48V mild hybrid system paired with a diesel engine. This powertrain setup is slated to debut in the Australian-spec Toyota Hilux soon.

Toyota's new 48V mild hybrid system

Dubbed Toyota Kinetic Assist, the automaker’s mild hybrid system comes with a 48-volt motor/generator that replaces the conventional alternator. It also has a DC-DC converter and a 48-volt battery. Overall, the said powertrain setup is said to be smaller and more lightweight than Toyota’s full hybrids such as the Camry HEV and RAV4 HEV.

The motor is capable of improving acceleration by turning electric energy from the battery into mechanical energy. It uses a belt drive to transfer the energy to the engine. During deceleration, the regeneration of the motor restores energy back to the battery, which is said to yield better fuel efficiency.

The Toyota Hilux will soon get the mild hybrid tech

Aside from performance and fuel efficiency, the mild hybrid system has also been developed to enhance comfort. For one, the system can restart the diesel engine thanks to an auto start/stop system. It is said to provide quiet engine restarts without the use of a gear-driven starter. In addition, the hybrid powertrain can be used as auxiliary power for running vehicle accessories, which also improves fuel efficiency.

The automaker also developed the Toyota Kinetic Assist to be off-road ready. Toyota reinforced the components and designed the layout for waterproofness. The installation position of the motor has also been adjusted, resulting in a water-wading depth of up to 700mm.

The new hybrid is slated to debut early next year

To highlight the system, the Hilux fitted with a diesel engine and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system was brought out on tough dirt roads in Africa. Toyota tested the pickup truck during the seventh round of the 2023 World Rally Championship (WRC) season in Kenya. It was four-time WRC champion and Toyota world title winner Juha Kankkunen who sat behind the wheel.

The 2024 Toyota Hilux with the Toyota Kinetic Assist is expected to come out in the first half of 2024 in the Land Down Under. The next-generation Land Cruiser Prado will also likely adopt the said powertrain setup. Since the Hilux and the Fortuner are built on the same platform, the latter could also go hybrid soon.

See more car tech innovations at Philkotse.com.