New Toyota Hilux 48V: mild-hybrid fuel economy revealed

How much diesel will you save by opting for the new Toyota Hilux 48V mild hybrid over the standard bakkie? We’ve discovered the flagship version’s claimed fuel-consumption figure…

Late in February 2024, Cars.co.za brought you pricing for the new Toyota Hilux 48V derivatives, which are scheduled to join the Japanese firm’s popular bakkie range in South Africa at some point in March. While Toyota has yet to officially release fuel-economy data for the 48V variants, we’ve managed to unearth the claimed figure for the flagship version of the mild-hybrid bakkie.

As a reminder, the 6 new mild-hybrid derivatives (3 rear-driven and 3 featuring 4×4) will each feature the double-cab body style and a 6-speed automatic transmission as standard. The 48V package – which Toyota promises will bring both acceleration and efficiency gains – will be available on all auto-equipped Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Raider, Legend and Legend RS models.

*The only exterior clue is the small “48V” badge on the front door (Legend RS on top and Raider below).*

So, what sort of fuel savings are we looking at here? Well, we’ll use the range-topping Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Legend RS 6AT 4×4 as an example. For this derivative, Toyota lists a combined fuel consumption of 8.0 L/100 km. According to our information, the lightly electrified version of this model will sip at a claimed 7.4 L/100 km. By our maths, that’s an improvement of 7.5% courtesy of the 48V system.

The Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Legend RS 6AT 4×4 with the 48V system has a corresponding CO2 figure of 195 g/km, down from the standard model’s 209 g/km. The mild-hybrid model furthermore scores a stop-start system, subtle “48V” badges on its front doors (right below the “2.8 GD-6” wordmark) and Multi-Terrain Select. The latter off-road system is a first for the Hilux line-up, offering various selectable modes to “help improve traction in a range of conditions”.

*Models fitted with the 48V arrangement furthermore gain a new Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) system.*

Payload and braked towing capacity figures for the 48V version of the Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Legend RS 6AT 4×4 are unchanged at 775 kg and 3 500 kg, respectively, while the mild-hybrid gubbins allow the oil-burning engine’s idle speed to be reduced from the standard 720 r/min to 600 r/min.

For the record, our information suggests the mild-hybrid iteration of the Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Legend RS 6AT 4×4 will be priced at R1 023 400, while we have since determined that the rest of the bakkie line-up is in line to receive a small price increase, pushing the non-electrified Legend RS 6AT 4×4 to R1 011 000. Based on that, this particular 48V derivative is expected to command a R12 400 premium.

*The familiar 2.8 GD-6 engine gains a 48V mild-hybrid system.*

In all 48V models, Toyota’s familiar 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine also drives a compact motor generator using a belt system, which in turn charges the lithium battery installed under the rear seats. The 48V battery weighs 7.6 kg and furthermore supplies the vehicle’s 12V system via a new DC-DC converter.

The battery pack is also charged during deceleration, effectively regenerating braking energy that would otherwise be lost, while ostensibly adding braking performance, too. When fully charged, the 48V battery can deliver up to 12 kW and 65 Nm through the motor generator to the engine, in addition to the 2.8-litre 4-pot’s standard outputs of 150 kW and 500 Nm.