Toyota Opens Option To Present Future Diesel-Hybrid System

Fortuner Mild Hybrid. (Doc. Global Toyota)

JAKARTA - The development of electrification vehicle technology is progressing at this time. Several manufacturers are mobilizing to develop the latest driving system in order to provide customers with many choices.

One of the pioneers in the electrification vehicle, namely Toyota, has many hybrid model lines sold in the global market. However, this Japanese brand has not sold hybrid cars at all with diesel-electric technology and only only provided gasoline.

Toyota Chief Engineer Keita Moritsu said the company is monitoring the potential of this technology and is open to presenting it, especially when diesel is an important machine for a number of models.

"Globally, diesel is certainly a very important machine for the Land Cruiser," Moritsu said as quoted by CarExpert, Tuesday, November 19.

He also said that in the future vehicles will have more advanced technology so that a diverse hybrid system will emerge.

"But in the future, of course, the situation around the world will change. So I need to monitor everything in the hybrid and electrification systems," added Moritsu.

Meanwhile, Australian Manager of Research, Evaluation, and Training of Toyota, Russel Tomlinson explained that the diesel-electric hybrid powertrain is indeed possible to be designed, but the benefits are not like the gasoline-electric version of a hybrid.

On paper, diesel gets low torques with the help of a hybrid in mid-acceleration supported via drivetrain. But the difference versus engineering and attempts to implement it are the challenges, "explained Tomlinson.

Now, Toyota is offering a diesel system with 48V millid-hybrid technology offered on Hilux and Fortuner in several markets.

In the specifications, the Toyota Fortuner mid-hybrid sold in South Africa has a 2,800cc 1GD-FTV engine that vomits 201 hp and 500 Nm torque power. In addition, it is combined with a generator of 16 hp and 42 Nm torque, as well as a 48-volt battery.

Toyota interestingly said that the consumption of fuel from Fortuner one was much better, even up to 5 percent, because there were some improvements such as the Idling stop feature to smoother engine restart.

In addition, this car is also equipped with a multi-terrain selection that makes it easier for users on all terrains, and the 48V battery is able to pass 700 mm inundation.