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The Ranger Nightmare Has Arrived: New Toyota Pickup, the Hilux MHEV, Is More Powerful and Offers Fuel Efficiency Up to 10% Higher!
Australia, like Brazil, ranks among the top global markets for mid-size trucks. Toyota introduced a new mild hybrid configuration (MHEV) with 48V for the Hilux, accompanied by a visual update of the model. The new version is expected to hit the Brazilian market in 2025.
The version of its mid-size pickup that incorporates the MildHybrid system, or “mild hybrid,” as the Japanese company describes it, currently imported from Thailand, will also be produced in Argentina soon, according to information from Motor1.com.
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What Is a Mild Hybrid?
Identified by the acronym MHEV, which stands for Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle, the mild hybrid is one of three types of hybrid cars, alongside HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). Among these, MHEV provides the least support to the internal combustion engine.
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This system can operate with 12V or 48V, varying by manufacturer, but its operation is essentially the same. A small electric motor takes over the functions of the alternator and starter motor, powering the 12V battery and assisting with starts or during cruising speed, although only for short periods.
While the MHEV offers limited assistance and results in only a small reduction in fuel consumption, it does help to reduce pollutant emissions. Additionally, a significant advantage of this system is its simplicity compared to HEVs or PHEVs, which makes it easier and cheaper to implement.
In simpler terms, the MildHybrid system, typical in mild hybrid vehicles, does not allow the car to run exclusively in electric mode. The main function of this system is to provide power to the car’s electrical systems when the combustion engine is inactive or when the Start&Stop feature is used, such as when stopped at traffic lights or in traffic jams. The 48V battery is recharged through an alternator and the regenerative system, which captures the kinetic energy generated during braking.
New Hilux MHEV Features 2.8 Turbo Diesel Engine with 204 hp, a 48V Battery, and Fuel Efficiency Up to 10% Higher
Equipped with a 2.8 turbo diesel engine delivering 204 hp, the Hilux MHEV has a 48V battery and a DC/AC converter, which transforms direct current into alternating current and vice versa. This system is integrated into the already well-known 2.8 turbo diesel engine of the pickup, which is popular in the Brazilian market and delivers 204 hp of power and 50.9 kgfm of torque, always paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
In Europe, where the mild hybrid system has already been used, the Hilux 48V recorded an increase of 16 hp in power and 6.6 kgfm in torque, reaching 220 hp and 57.5 kgfm. Toyota highlighted that the Hilux MHEV offers fuel efficiency up to 10% higher and improved performance, which reinforces the already remarkable capabilities of the vehicle both on paved roads and on rugged terrain.
According to the company, this pickup ensures a more agile response on asphalt and a more robust performance on off-road terrain, benefiting from smoother acceleration and regenerative braking on descents.
Even with the Incorporation of the Mild Hybrid System, the Pickup Maintained Its Water Immersion Capacity up to 70 Centimeters.
Introduced last November, Toyota ensured that the off-road capabilities of the truck remain unchanged, as do its towing and payload capacities. A positive aspect is that, even with the incorporation of the mild hybrid system, the pickup maintained its water immersion capacity up to 70 centimeters.
Toyota also emphasizes that improvements in drivability were achieved without compromising the vehicle’s towing and payload capacity, which remain exceptional at 3,500 and 1,000 kg, respectively.
In addition to implementing the MHEV system, the Toyota Hilux in Australia received significant visual updates. The bumper was redesigned, now featuring an octagonal grille flanked by new air intakes and an aluminum underbody protection. While the rest of the body retains the design of the previous version of the Hilux, the tailgate has been enhanced with dampers that facilitate its opening.
The New Version of the Hilux 48V with Updated Front in Brazil Is Considerably High!
So far, Toyota has only showcased the Hilux MHEV as a prototype, being used as a safety vehicle at the Kenya Safari Rally. This MildHybrid version is part of Toyota’s strategy to launch nine new pickups, some of which are already confirmed for production in Argentina, where the Hilux is currently manufactured.
It is important to highlight that the Hilux available in Australia is imported from Thailand, which often serves as a reference point for Toyota’s South American branch in developing new products. Therefore, the chances of seeing this new version of the Hilux 48V with an updated front in Brazil are considerably high.
Meanwhile, in Argentina, the city of Rio Grande revoked last November the tax exemption for hybrid, electric, and mild hybrid vehicles. The municipal council justified the decision by stating that mild hybrid systems do not operate in an exclusively electric mode, and after an extensive evaluation period, it was deemed necessary to adjust the current legislation.
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