A fresh report says customers can look forward to the Toyota Hilux Hybrid and Fortuner Hybrid in the near future.

This news comes from a report from Thai publication Headlight Magazine, which says that the diesel engine has been given a new lease on life thanks to the introduction of mild-hybrid tech.

As a reminder, Toyota has a massive production presence in Thailand and globally, diesel is seen as a dirtier fuel. If you look at the European market for example, the number of diesel-powered offerings across all segments has shrunk dramatically.

Some brands have completely shunned diesel-powered vehicles all together, like Volvo for example. But, fellow South Africans, we have nothing to fear. Diesel-powered vehicles are not disappearing any time soon.

Read More: 165 kW Toyota Hilux GR Sport coming soon!

The Thai report says the Japanese car giant will be launching the Toyota Hilux hybrid in 2023 with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. It goes on to say there will be the same tech fitted to a new Toyota Fortuner which is earmarked for 2023 too.

Now while this story sounds a little far-fetched, there’s some truth as both Toyota Australia and Toyota New Zealand have hinted that hybrid diesel tech is on the way. CarsGuide reported that Down Under, Toyota is keen to drive down its CO2 emissions, but not at the expense of losing its customer base.

“We know that some people are particularly wedded to diesel. Some farmers, for example, store diesel on their property, or it’s more accessible, or you’re in a region where you can’t have petrol,” Toyota Australian’s General Manager of Product Planning and Development, Rod Ferguson told CarsGuide. The immediate solution is 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.

A representative from Toyota New Zealand told Driven.co.nz: that a “Hilux hybrid will be hitting the market before the end of next year.” Mind you, this comment was back in 2020 and before the pandemic, semi-conductor shortage and supply chain logistic nightmare all combined to almost derail the global car industry.

Naturally, given the mechanical similarities between the Toyota Hilux and Fortuner, it’s fair to assume the same hybrid technology will be applied to the bakkie-based 7-seater as well. The Thai media have said a new Toyota Fortuner will be revealed in 2023 and feature a new TNGA-F platform as well as the aforementioned 2.8-litre 4-cylinder diesel with 48-volt mild-hybrid tech.

As a reminder, South Africa sources its Hilux bakkies from the Toyota facility in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Earlier this year, the plant has heavily damaged by floods, but an extensive repair job is underway and we understand the factory will be restarting production by the end of July 2022.

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