The Toyota Fortuner body-on-frame SUV will reportedly be the next vehicle in the Japanese carmaker’s line-up to receive fuel-saving mild-hybrid technology.
As reported by Indian publication Gaadi Waadi, a mild-hybrid version of the Fortuner is due to launch in India during 2024.
This report follows Toyota South Africa senior vice president of sales and marketing Leon Theron saying a mild-hybrid Fortuner, in addition to a mild-hybrid HiLux, are both on the cards for launch in that market during 2024.
It’s worth noting the Indian- and South African-specification versions of the Toyota Fortuner are built in these respective countries. Australian-specification versions are manufactured in Thailand, so it’s unclear if a mild-hybrid powertrain option will be offered here.
There is precedent for a mild-hybrid Fortuner to be offered in Australia, however, as two body-on-frame Toyota vehicles are set to receive 48V mild-hybrid technology next year.
Earlier this year Toyota Australia confirmed the related HiLux ute is receiving 48V mild-hybrid technology. It’s due locally in the first half of 2024.
Toyota Australia has specifically gone down the path of not calling this electrified HiLux a hybrid, instead referring to it as the Toyota HiLux with 48-Volt Technology.
The system combines the existing 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with a small electric motor-generator, a 48V battery, as well as “other components”.
It will be standard on all dual-cab 4×4 SR5 and Rogue models in Australia, and optional on the dual-cab 4×4 SR.
Toyota promises an approximate 10 per cent fuel economy improvement for “certain HiLux model” compared to the existing 2.8-litre sans electrification, as well as improved drivability and reduced noise, vibration and harshness.
The system also allows Toyota to offer an automatic stop/start system.
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It promises, however, that there will be no impact on the ute’s capability. All models with the system will maintain a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.
The new-generation Toyota Prado body-on-frame SUV is also set to receive this mild-hybrid powertrain in Australia. It’s due to launch locally in mid-2024.
At this stage it’s unclear if any other vehicles in the Toyota line-up are set to receive mild-hybrid technology.
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