Toyota gives the Land Cruiser Prado an electrified diesel motor
Toyota seems to be electrifying everything in its lineup, even down to its biggest SUVs like the recently unveiled Land Cruiser 300 Hybrid. Following this, Toyota Europe now gives its smaller Land Cruiser 250/Prado sibling a new electrified drivetrain.
For those unaware, the LC250 is available with either a gasoline-powered 2.4-liter turbo-four (T24A-FTS), available in either unelectrified or parallel hybrid variants, a naturally aspirated 2.7-liter four-cylinder (2TR-FE), or the tried-and-tested 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel (1GD-FTV).
The Land Cruiser Hybrid 48V is the latest addition, mating the 2.8-liter turbodiesel and eight-speed direct shift automatic to an electric motor-generator, a 48V lithium-ion battery, and a DC-DC power converter, all still protected so as to not affect the SUV’s off-roading capabilities, even allowing for a 700mm wading depth.
The electric motor-generator replaces the traditional alternator, allowing for a more seamless engine stop-start function, improved efficiency with energy recovery every time the driver brakes, and additional power for acceleration and torque.
Toyota says that when the 3.4Ah lithium-ion battery is fully charged, it can provide up to an additional 16 horsepower and 65Nm of torque on top of the 201 horsepower and 500Nm of torque from the turbodiesel.
This model will, for now, be offered in Europe, but there’s no word if Toyota Motor Philippines will bring this in, considering our market’s affinity for diesel-powered SUVs.
Photos from Toyota Europe
