The mild hybrid system coming to Toyota’s one-tonne ute has a fancy descriptive in Australia.

COMMITMENT to avoid calling the impending petrol-electric Hilux a ‘hybrid’, on grounds it doesn’t save enough fuel to earn that label, has been carried out in Australia - but no word, yet, on whether Toyota New Zealand will do the same.

The markets are sharing the 48 volt system that is expected to implement in just high-end double cab versions.

Australia has launched first, and in doing so has revealed that the set-up it intends to be optional on SR four-by-four doublecab automatics and standard on SR5 and Rogue (their equivalent of the NZ-market SR5 Cruiser) four-by-four double cab automatic versions will achieve a new-to-brand monicker …’V-Active Technology.’

When the enhanced drivetrain was announced last year, Toyota NZ strongly indicated it felt confident in calling the models Hilux hybrids. But it has been quiet since then. A brand spokeswoman said today a local market announcement can be expected in early March.

Toyota Australia had a different tack from get-go. It accepted the word association carried risk, because the the 48 volt system coming to the one-tonner will deliver much less fuel consumption saving than the more advanced full hybrid technology that goes into its passenger cars.

The Synergy Drive hybrid petrol Lexus and Toyota cars have typically use 40-50 percent less fuel than equivalent petrol-only models.

The rather more basic mild-hybrid diesel set-up in Hilux, meanwhile, will trim fuel consumption by 10 percent. 

In announcing their line-up, and pricing, Toyota Australia has also fully outlined how V-Active operates.

As expected, the 48-volt technology is atypical in comprising a motor generator, 48-volt battery and DC/DC converter. 

Toyota Australia says in addition to efficiency gain, it is designed to offer a improvements in driveability, performance, noise, vibration and harshness compared with the standard 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine Kiwis know well.

Key to improving efficiency is the introduction of an engine start-stop system, with the system components helping to ensure engine re-starts are done quickly, quietly, and with minimal vibration.  

Two stop-start settings are available, consisting of ‘Normal’ and ‘Long’ mode. Long mode keeps the engine switched off for longer than a typical internal-combustion powertrain.

Re-starting the engine on inclines is also cited as being “exceptionally smooth”, the system retaining brake pressure until enough drive force is generated to provide effortless acceleration.

“V-Active Technology also provides improved performance, with energy stored in the battery used to provide additional powertrain output when accelerating and helping reduce the load on the engine in areas of the rev range with lesser efficiency,” Toyota Australia says.

During deceleration, energy is recovered by the motor generator which is fed back into the battery, combining with the engine braking to provide natural deceleration characteristics.

The brand says V-Active Technology also enables a lower engine idling speed that is reduced from 720rpm to 600rpm and “provides seamless and quiet restarting when using the stop-start system in traffic congestion.”

To ensure the system remains compatible with the type’s rugged off-road nature, the motor generator unit has been positioned high in the engine bay to allow for successful and safe water crossings.

A two-arm belt tensioner and high-strength rib side fabric belt help ensure strong reliability with improved slip resistance in wet conditions.

The drivetrain’s introduction lands along with a general Hilux facelift.

This lends fresh front bumpers, a honeycomb mesh grille and on SR5 grades, dark-finish LED headlamps. Further dark elements added to the SR5 including gloss black exterior mirrors and door handles, a darkened rear bumper and a powder-coated black sports bar.

Australia’s pick-up variants take a tailgate damper with lift assist, consisting of a gas strut and steel cable which replaces the existing steel bracket. SR double-cab pick-ups with automatic transmissions add front and rear parking sensors.

Probability that the upgraded models are close to release is high; TNZ’s website is showing the present model is well into runout, with suggestion stock is close to exhaustion.