TOYOTA PRESENTS NEW-VEHICLE SHOWCASE LED BY HILUX BEV CONCEPT

Toyota Australia has presented a range of exciting new production and concept vehicles showcasing Toyota’s diverse powertrain technologies, headlined by the HiLux Revo BEV Concept.

Alongside the HiLux Revo BEV Concept, the showcase saw Toyota present a number of new vehicles due to arrive in Australia over the next 12 months including all-new LandCruiser Prado, hybrid C-HR and fully-electric bZ4X, upgraded LandCruiser 70 Series, two new HiLux variants, and the RHD full-sized pick-up Tundra.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the showcase demonstrated Toyota’s commitment to providing a broad range of vehicles for customers while it continues on its path to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

“The vehicles displayed at our showcase include a diverse range of electrified vehicle technologies, showing Toyota’s commitment to leaving no motorist behind,” Mr Hanley said.

“Whether it’s battery-electric vehicles, fuel-cell electric, or hybrid-electric, Toyota is dedicated to offering customers a wide range of powertrain options on the journey towards carbon reduction.”

For the first time on Australian soil, Toyota showed the HiLux Revo BEV Concept, hinting at the future of the HiLux in all-electric guise.

Originally unveiled in Thailand late last year, the HiLux Revo BEV Concept is an urban-focused two-wheel drive pick-up designed for short-range use, featuring a wealth of proprietary technologies under the skin.

The HiLux Revo BEV Concept is in Australia to take part in testing and evaluation on local soil to help further the development of alternative powertrain technologies in Australia’s favourite vehicle.

While the HiLux BEV remains a concept, customers will soon be able to purchase or lease Toyota’s first production BEV when the new bZ4X arrives in Australia in early 2024.

This will be the first of three production battery-electric vehicles due in Australia over the next three years further expanding Toyota’s electrified lineup.

As Toyota continues to develop more battery-electric vehicles, it is committed to growing its hugely successful hybrid range and displayed for the time in Australia, the all-new hybrid-only second-generation C-HR.

The 1.8-litre hybrid front-wheel drive Koba and 2.0-litre hybrid all-wheel drive GR Sport were both on display showcasing the stylish new premium small SUV that is due on sale early in 2024.

Designed, engineered and built in Europe, the all-new C-HR makes significant strides in styling, technology and refinement, while doubling the content of recycled plastic used in the vehicle compared to the current-generation C-HR for a reduced environmental impact.

Further demonstration of Toyota’s growing electrification of its vehicles was evident in the display of a production HiLux and pre-production version of the all-new LandCruiser Prado, both fitted with 48-Volt Technology.

The 48-Volt Technology is combined with the 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission and comprises an additional 48-Volt battery, small electric motor-generator and other components to help reduce fuel consumption.

Both vehicles are due to launch in Australia in 2024 and the pre-production Prado prototype is being used for extensive testing across the Australian landscape.

Another vehicle on display demonstrating Toyota’s diverse approach to electrification was the full-size hybrid Tundra pick-up.

In a Toyota first, 300 Tundras will be converted to right hand drive locally by Toyota partner Walkinshaw Automotive Group and leased to selected potential customers for a real world evaluation and validation program.

Australia is a unique environment and Toyota remains committed to providing the right vehicles for all customers with the showcase providing a first in-the-metal look at the significantly upgraded LandCruiser 70 Series.

The upgraded 70 Series features updated styling and the new option of a 2.8-litre diesel engine with a six-speed automatic transmission – the first time this combination has been offered on the 70 Series range.

Joining the battery-electric concept and HiLux with 48-Volt Technology was the production HiLux GR Sport, the new flagship of the HiLux range offering improved performance in off-road conditions and a swathe of upgrades while retaining the HiLux’s strong 3,500kg braked towing capacity1.

More than just a set of visual enhancements, the HiLux GR Sport offers a wider wheel track with enhanced suspension, brakes and tyres, and improved performance from the tried and tested 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, with the new apex off-road grade arriving in local showrooms in September.

The broad range of vehicles and technologies within the Toyota stable that were on show demonstrate the brand’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions while providing the right technology for customers at the right time.

But Toyota’s development of new technologies and applications doesn’t end there.

Toyota has been leasing a small number of Mirai FCEVs to progressive organisations for the past two years an its long-term investment in hydrogen fuel-cell electric technology may also offer an appropriate solution for zero-tailpipe-CO2-emission commercial vehicles.

In the UK, Toyota recently showed off a HiLux Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Electric Concept that uses the same Toyota FCEV system currently found in the production Mirai.

The system combines a 330-cell solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack, three high-pressure hydrogen tanks, a large lithium-ion battery, electric motor and rear transaxle.

In the Mirai, it develops 134kW/300Nm driving through the rear wheels, with the 5.6kg hydrogen tank capacity delivering a strong WLTP driving range of 650km2.

The hydrogen HiLux concept is currently being developed into prototype vehicles in partnership with the UK government, built at Toyota’s manufacturing facility in Burnaston, England.

Along with hydrogen fuel-cell electric powertrains, Toyota is also developing internal-combustion engines powered by liquid hydrogen as seen in vehicles like the GR Corolla H2 race car as announced by Toyota Motor Europe earlier this year.