The Toyota Hilux Hybrid has just celebrated its premiere in Brussels. The truck packs a mildly upgraded 2.8-liter diesel engine and an electric starter helping it save a further 5% of fuel while remaining just as capable off-road as before. The sales in Europe are scheduled for mid-2024.
The diesel is still rated at its original 204 PS (201 hp / 150 kW) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque, but benefits from several modifications that make it more compatible with the starter-generator on board. The latter adds another 16 PS (16 hp / 12 kW) and 65 Nm (48 lb-ft) of torque in a pinch, getting its power from regenerative braking.
The battery is small and not manually chargeable, but the new Hilux Hybrid should be able to accelerate and brake faster than its non-electric counterpart, make the most out of the start/stop function and offer more driving comfort in traffic jams. Regenerative brakes will make it safer to handle when descending from slopes. Finally, the electronics on board supports five drive modes for different terrains.
Another advantage of the diesel-electric Hilux is its thorough water sealing, letting it wade water up to 700 mm (27.3 inches) high. A ground clearance of 310 mm (12.1 in), an approach angle of 29 degrees and a departure angle of 26 degrees also help with overcoming the terrain hurdles.
In the EU, the pickup will go on sale exclusively in the four-door Crew Cab version and a high trim level. It will come bundled with an extended Safety Sense package of driving aids, adaptive lights, an 8-inch infotainment system screen and cloud-based navigation software.
