Heavens above. You know that electricity is serious about conquering the car world when it weasels its way into the region’s favourite workhorse…
You should know: There once was a television advert where a Hilux owner left his farm to buy a rose pink shirt on the village high street. When he returned to his Toyota, it kept locking itself in order to refuse this newfound fashion sense any access. And that’s always been my resounding impression of Hilux drivers. They don’t wear pink. Ever.
More info: Obviously a small fraction of them do – and call it “salmon” – so Toyota S.A. did well to quietly fit a mild hybrid system to their evergreen double cab. The rest of the range remains completely intact, but for those who want a small 48-volt jolt of torque to help them, umm, save diesel, there’s this new hybrid model.
Why you should: The regular 2.8 geedee-six engine reports for duty with 150kW or 500Nm and Toyota’s slushy but trusty 6-speed autobox does a superb job of stretching its way through the motor’s pleasantly low torque band (from 1,600rpm to 2,800rpm). It’s not the most responsive but then it’s also not supposed to be.
What else? As the power source of a nation’s favourite donkey, spongy gear changes and meandering rpm’s are most welcome when you’re traversing soft sand, negotiating tricky terrain or towing something bulky. And for those select few who are interested in accurate Hilux MHEV performance figures, our best 0-100km/h time took just 9.89 seconds.
Why you shouldn’t: I’m really unsure who this vehicle is marketed at, because we couldn’t detect any significant fuel savings or power boosts in everyday situations. Sure, the start/stop system helps to lower diesel usage but (again) I suspect that 99% of Hilux drivers will barge into the Agterbergfontein dealership with a stretched out index finger yelling “turn that off!”
In summary: The new Toyota Hilux Mild Hybrid Double Cab is so good at hiding its semi-electric propulsion that most people wouldn’t even notice. On top of that, it’s obviously a beacon of reliability and versatility, mixed with Toyota’s dated cabin design and the prerequisite half-coil, half-leafsprung ride discomfort.
Oh, and that blasted 1984 LCD nightstand clock.
FULL SPECLIST
| Engine: | 2,755cc in-line 4-cylinder turbo-diesel |
| Transmission: | 6-speed Auto, RWD/4WD |
| Max. Power: | 150kW @ 3,000rpm |
| Max. Torque: | 500Nm @ 1,600rpm |
| Avg. cons.: | Claimed 8L/100km |
| 0-100km/h: | 9.89 seconds (no claim) |
| Top Speed: | Claimed 175km/h |
| List Price: | R 921,800 |