A Toyota executive has explained why the Japanese brand is unlikely to slap a hybrid badge on the upcoming production version of its electrified Hilux bakkie…

When Toyota released the 1st official details of the upcoming mild-hybrid version of its Hilux bakkie back in June 2023, we noted the Japanese automaker seemingly made a point of avoiding the word “hybrid” in its official press material. Now an Australian executive has explained why.

As a reminder, Toyota’s widely used 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine is in line to gain 48-volt technology, though seemingly only in conjunction with the 6-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid arrangement will include a 48-volt battery, a “small” electric motor-generator and various “other components”.

Speaking to media Down Under, Sean Hanley, who holds the role of Toyota Australia Vice President for Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, suggested such a system didn’t quite fit the brand’s definition of the term “hybrid”.

“Most of you have called it a mild hybrid. We don’t – and there’s a reason we don’t,” Hanley said, according to Drive.com.au. “In the Toyota world, ‘hybrid’ refers to a system where the engine and the electric motor can both propel the vehicle either together or independently. That’s not the case with the electric motor for the 48-volt system,” he added.

Interestingly, Toyota Africa conduced a demo run of what it called the “Hilux MHEV” (mild-hybrid electric vehicle) concept during the 7th round of the World Rally Championship in Kenya earlier this year, even emblazoning the word “hybrid” along the bakkie’s flanks. So, it’s not quite clear whether this avoidance of the word “hybrid” will be applied outside of the Australian market, where the automaker recently trademarked the term “Toyota Kinetic Assist”.

So, what is the 48-volt system’s purpose, then? Well, Hanley said it was designed to “assist” the oil-burning engine in various ways.

“It can power the car’s steering, pumps and fans, and it supports the fuel-saving stop/start operation, keeping the electrics firing and handling the load of the climate control. The system recharges while you’re driving, recovering and storing kinetic energy from braking, and it facilitates smoother and quicker start and take off once the brake pedal is released,” he added.

We expect a lightly electrified version of the Hilux (alongside a Fortuner with the same powertrain) to hit the market in South Africa at some point in 2024, after Toyota SA Motors announced such plans in May 2023. Whether Toyota SA Motors will use a “hybrid” or “MHEV” badge remains to be seen.

Buy a used Toyota Hilux on Cars.co.za!

Related content

Toyota Hilux Mild-Hybrid Powertrain: Initial Details Released

Toyota Hilux Mild-Hybrid Concept Previews More Efficient Bakkie

Top-Spec Toyota Hilux Bakkie Breaches R1-Million Mark