The new Toyota Hilux and Fortuner mild hybrids (MHEVs) are off to a great start in South Africa following their first full-month of sales.
The two new variants were officially introduced at the end of March 2023 with a starting price of R774,800 for the bakkie and R834,800 for the SUV.
Since these are two of the most popular models sold by the country’s best-selling automaker, it’s no surprise that the MHEVs have been a big hit with local consumers, making up a substantial portion of the units sold despite their short time on the market.
Popular models + fuel-savings = profit
Toyota recently confirmed to MyBroadband that the Hilux and Fortuner MHEVs have seen “decent” interest from consumers, which is reflected in their sales.
On the double cab, the hybrid powertrains can be found the upper-tier Raider and Legend trim levels with 4×2 and 4×4 layouts for a total of six options.
According to the manufacturer, 17% of the Raiders sold in South Africa in April were mild hybrids, which increased to 19% for the Legend.
As a reminder, the bakkie sold a total of 2,094 units that month, and while that figure includes all trim levels and body types such as single, Xtra and double cabs, it’s reasonable to assume that the Raider and Legend accounted for a decent amount of those purchases.
Looking at the Fortuner, there are four MHEV options across the base and VX trims, with the electrified powertrain account for 25% of the former’s purchases and 39% of the latter’s.
That’s a significant portion of the sales of both vehicles, which can be easily explained by looking at their price tags.
The Hilux’s range-topping Legend RS, for example, costs R1,011,000 with no electrical assistance and R1,023,400 with its 48-volt mild hybrid underpinnings – a difference of just R12,400.
When you’re already spending that much for your high-rider, the R12,400 premium is a drop in the pond, making it a more appealing option when there are potential fuel-savings to be had.
The same is true of the Fortuner, where the top-of-the-line VX 4×4 with 48V technology costs R961,800, only R10,900 more than the standard car’s R950,900.
Efficient travel
The MHEVs run on the brand’s tried-and-trusted 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine, which has been retrofitted with a 48V lithium-ion battery and an electric starter motor.
The system has a combined output of 150kW and 500Nm, and the combustion engine receives assistance from the motor at low speeds, providing smoother acceleration which in turn keeps the revs down.
The battery is topped up via regenerative brakes, and both vehicles also feature an improved Stop/Start function that allows the engine to remain off for longer intervals in situations like traffic.
Furthermore, the powertrain’s idle speed is reduced from 720rpm to 600rpm, and the culmination of all these factors is that the hybrids claim to reduce fuel consumption by an average of 5%.
It’s not the most dramatic reduction in diesel usage, but over an extended period buyers will begin to appreciate the new tech when the cost-savings outweigh the initial price of the hybrid.
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