Latest variant with Hilux mild hybrid drivetrain hasn’t been ticked off for NZ, but if that changes, it might be considered.

LIKELIHOOD of the Fortuner sports utility that was dropped out of New Zealand in August making a comeback now that it has the same mild hybrid drivetrain as the closely-related Hilux ute is not being discounted.

However, Palmerston North-based Toyota New Zealand says nothing immediate is planned, because even though the newest variant of the seven-seater off-road product seems set to hit Australia, it has not been signed off for us.

“Currently, this vehicle is not being produced for our market,” a brand spokesperson said in response to forwarded media reports from across the Tasman citing likelihood of the type showing there.

“However, we will continue to monitor its potential and reassess its suitability if circumstances change.”

Fortuner and Hilux have a common underpinning and are powered by the same 2.8-litre turbodiesel.

That powerplant now issues with a 48 volt system, which aims to improve - albeit only marginally - economy and reduce emissions.

Confirmation of Fortuner being dropped came in August after months of speculation; it had disappeared from the Toyota NZ product website in June.

By then Hilux hybrid had settled into NZ, but at that time there was no sign the wagon would upgrade.

TNZ also said one reason for Fortuner going was that it had no ongoing role because TNZ has focused on electrified drivetrains.

In hindsight, that was not the cleverest comment … because now it has.

South Africa is so far officially the only right-hand-drive market for the Fortuner hybrid, but Australia rates its chances.

Environmental outcomes from the wagon are different than from the utility.

With Hlilux, Toyota cites 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres for combined city and highway usage, a reduction of 0.6L/100km over the standard engine.

Toyota South Africa claims the system in Fortuner application reduces fuel consumption by 0.3L/100km. However, these figures are based on different test standards than used in our part of the world.

According to the South African data, tailpipe emissions are slightly improved, with the mild-hybrid Fortuner putting out 200g of CO2 per kilometre, versus 209g/km in the non-hybrid model.

The electric motor-generator helps to turn the engine during acceleration via a belt system, with power stored in a small 7.6kg battery mounted under the second-row seats.

Unlike a traditional hybrid - including the technology Toyota and lexus present in passenger category product - the car cannot be driven on pure electric power and performance remains unchanged, with the 2.8-litre engine making 150kW and 500Nm, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with part-time four-wheel drive. A rear-wheel-drive variant is also available in South Africa.