Following the confirmation of a new hybridized Toyota Hilux for the Australian market, the Japanese automaker has showcased the new pickup truck’s capabilities on tough dirt roads in Africa.
The Toyota Hilux MHEV was put to the test
The Toyota Hilux with the MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle) powertrain had a successful demo run at Kasarani during the seventh round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Kenya. Onboard were four-time WRC champion and former Toyota world title winner Juha Kankkunen from Finland and Kenyan co-driver Jimmi Gathu.
“I’m 100 percent sure that this type of car will fit in Africa very well because there are still long-distance drives and it’s very difficult to charge electric cars. You can save fuel, which means less CO2. Africa is a good market for this kind of car, and you can make CO2 less with hybrid cars. That is the future,” said Kankkunen.
Toyota Hilux MHEV
The 64-year-old Finnish racing driver was the ideal man for the job as he isn’t just a four-time rally champion but has also driven various types of powertrains from the Toyota brand.
“I have had the pleasure of driving different models for the Toyota brand, from full-electric car, hybrid, and hydrogen, and can attest that these models are much faster than standard models,” added Kankkunen.
The MHEV setup should provide improved performance and efficiency
According to Toyota, the Hilux MHEV will come with a 48-volt battery, a small electric motor generator, and other components. The MHEV package will be matched to the existing 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine, sending power to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic gearbox as standard.
The Toyota Hilux’s midsize SUV sibling, the Fortuner, will also reportedly be available with the MHEV system. Both are underpinned by the same Toyota IMV platform, making the integration of the MHEV components to the Fortuner seamless.
It is still unclear whether the Hilux with the mild-hybrid will make its way to the Philippine market. Meanwhile, Australia will reportedly get the hybridized pickup truck starting in the first half of 2024.
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