Overview
With the planet-saving New Automobile Effectivity Customary (NVES) imminent, Toyota has moved on many fronts to make sure its autos comply – and keep away from massive penalties that will in any other case be handed onto clients.
As a part of its emissions discount program, the Large T has launched a light hybrid 48-volt electrically assisted powertrain referred to as V-Lively.
The expertise is fitted to its common 2.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine with six-speed computerized transmission as present in different HiLux grades – and now the brand new LandCruiser Prado.
The HiLux was the primary to obtain the high-mounted, belt-driven motor/generator with Toyota making it accessible throughout many of the 4×4 vary, together with the entry-level SR pick-up examined right here, priced from $56,210 plus on-road prices.
Aside from the high-performance GR Sport variant, it’s the solely HiLux 4×4 dual-cab mannequin nonetheless accessible with a regular turbo-diesel engine in its place. The remainer of the vary is now all 48-volt assisted.
The 8.4kW/65Nm MHEV system, comprising a motor/generator, 48-volt under-seat lithium-ion battery (rated at 4.3Ah) and DC/DC converter, shouldn’t be claimed to spice up energy or torque, however is claimed to scale back emissions and contribute to improved throttle response, acceleration, and driveability.
Output figures stay the identical because the common diesel at 150kW and 500Nm.
V-Lively operates by way of a high-strength rib-side material belt with a two-arm belt tensioner to make sure reliability with improved slip resistance in moist circumstances.
Toyota says the system has enabled the fitment of recuperative braking and idle-stop expertise that helps to make sure engine restarts are performed rapidly, quietly, and with minimal vibration.
The system additionally contributes to a claimed 10 per cent gas economic system enchancment from 7.9 litres per 100km to 7.4L/100km on the grade examined.
Two idle-stop settings can be found: Regular and Lengthy, with the latter mode retaining the engine switched off for longer than could be typical in a daily internal-combustion powertrain.
Restarting the engine on inclines is aided with the system retaining brake strain till sufficient drive drive is generated to supply “easy” acceleration.
The V-Lively system supplies “improved efficiency with power saved within the battery used to supply extra powertrain output when accelerating and serving to to scale back the load on the engine in areas of the rev vary with lesser effectivity,” says Toyota.
“Throughout deceleration, power is recovered by the motor/generator which is fed again into the battery, combining with the engine braking to supply pure deceleration traits.”
V-Lively additionally allows a decrease engine idling pace that’s decreased from 720rpm to 600rpm – and supplies seamless and quiet restarting when utilizing the idle-stop system in visitors congestion.
The premium for V-Lively tech falls between $600 and $1600 (relying on variant), the system bringing with it Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Choose off-road system providing Dust, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow and Auto in excessive vary, Sand, Mud, Auto and Rock in low-range for enhanced functionality in low traction circumstances.
Removed from being a bare-bones hose-out tradie truck, the Hilux SR 4×4 dual-cab has been upgraded with a raft of fascinating options including to the worth equation.
It scores dual-zone local weather management, auto up/down home windows, keyless entry and ignition, new front-end visuals – together with a chunkier bumper and honeycomb mesh grille – a tailgate damper with elevate help, entrance and rear parking sensors, and black alloy wheels.
Driving Impressions
We will’t see why you’d pay tens of 1000’s extra for the higher-grade variations of this truck. Merely, the SR has every little thing you want, goes virtually anyplace, appears to be like good, and is straightforward to reside with.
You would possibly miss out on leather-based upholstery, a brand-name audio system, and physique {hardware} frills, however the SR is all that’s wanted in a one-tonne dual-cab fourbie ute for Aussie driving.
We had been anticipating metal wheels, a two-speaker stereo, single zone air-con, vinyl flooring and blanked-out sprint change holes. However that’s actually not the case.
Everybody asks whether or not the V-Lively powertrain might be felt, and the reply is sure, subtly. It returns extra responsive acceleration and basic driveability, however we’re speaking incremental good points right here, nothing that smacks you within the face.
The 1GD-series engine already had good get-up-and-go and first rate gas economic system, so the V-Lively is of slight profit whenever you boil all of it down.
Certainly, we returned a determine near the 7.4-litre declare, which is much better than the present era Fortuner we now have in our personal storage – and my colleague’s pre-MHEV (MY23) HiLux Rogue.
We connected a automobile trailer to the HiLux SR V-Lively, which often types the wheat from the chaff, and once more discovered the mannequin makes use of much less gas than anticipated and comparably lower than the non-48-volt-assisted different.
Over a protracted possession interval, this interprets into decrease operating prices, aside from being kinder to the planet.
The SR delivers a comparatively snug experience accompanied by some jiggling unladen on tough roads that smooths out with a small load within the again. It isn’t a sports activities truck by any stretch however acquits itself dynamically with competence and confidence.
The tyres generate minimal hum, provide first rate grip within the moist, and don’t complain when pushed arduous within the dry.
Steering inputs are comparatively small given it’s a ute and the turning circle is appropriate. We couldn’t fault the brakes both, even when towing, because the ABS has a excessive threshold and the broad part tyres resist slipping.
Some annoying ADAS capabilities are creeping into the Toyota HiLux vary which we turned off at every begin up. It’s a development we’re seeing rather more of, and one we’re grateful is sort of restricted on this utility.
The HMI is fairly good total, albeit slightly bit dated in comparison with the main section rival.
We have now pushed loads of examples of this gen’ HiLux and this one is true up there. It’s $18K lower than the top-of-the-range GR Sport however is actually not 18 grand much less truck.
