Toyota in South Africa has confirmed the related HiLux ute and Fortuner SUV will both receive a mild-hybrid powertrain in 2024.
As reported by South African publication CarMag, Toyota South Africa senior vice president of sales and marketing Leon Theron said during an event the mild-hybrid HiLux and Fortuner are both on the cards for a launch in that market next year.
No other information was announced about the mild-hybrid HiLux and Fortuner at this event in South Africa.
“Toyota is always considering exciting new models as they become available for our market, but we have no announcements to make today,” said a Toyota Australia spokesperson.
It’s unclear if mild-hybrid electrification will be added to the 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel or the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. Only the latter of these engines is offered in Australia.
It’s also unclear if outputs will change with the mild-hybrid system.
This isn’t the first time Toyota has discussed electrification for these models, as Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley recently hinted the HiLux range will expand further this year.
The company has also previously confirmed it intends to have hybrid versions of the HiLux, LandCruiser Prado, LandCruiser 300 Series and HiAce by 2030.
“Of course, we’re not standing still with our HiLux line-up,” said Mr Hanley in February.
“Last year we launched the [updated] HiLux Rogue, and it has been warmly received. In the third quarter of this year, we’ll launch HiLux GR Sport.”
“Beyond that, we will have more action on HiLux in the second half of the year.”
“Our goal always is to address market opportunities and customer needs with HiLux. At some point that will include a form of electrification, although I don’t intend to go into the exact details of that today,” he added.
“We obviously have to look at commercial vehicles between now and 2030. So, what type of electrification we apply to that, we’re not in a position to say today. But it is certainly something that we know we’ll need to do.
“Hybrid, plug-in hybrid – there’s all sorts of variants. We’re looking at H2 (hydrogen) conversions, we’re looking at BEVs, we’re looking at everything. This is exactly what we’re saying – Toyota won’t put all of its eggs in one basket.
“The critical thing for us in Australia is fit for purpose. And I know I’ve said this ad nauseam. Some people get it, and most of the silent majority actually get it. But of course, everyone has got different views, and I respect everyone’s different views, because they’re not all wrong, and not all right, either.”
While Toyota is a market leader when it comes to hybrids, it has yet to launch any hybrid off-roaders or commercial vehicles in Australia.
In contrast, GWM plans to launch a hybrid ute this year, while Ford is working on a plug-in hybrid version of its Ranger.
Toyota has previously revealed an electric HiLux concept in Thailand, and indicated a production version is due by 2026.
It has also confirmed it will produce prototype hydrogen fuel-cell versions of the HiLux in the UK.
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Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au