Toyota Land Cruiser: The legendary SUV adopts 48-volt hybrid technology

A new chapter begins for the Toyota Land Cruiser, as it incorporates an electrified powertrain for the first time. The 48-volt hybrid technology promises enhanced responsiveness and improved performance both on and off the road, without sacrificing the SUV’s renowned off-road character. Built on the new Toyota New Global Architecture platform with a ladder-frame chassis (body-on-frame), the Land Cruiser manages even the toughest conditions more efficiently while ensuring smooth, refined behavior on paved roads.

The mild hybrid 48-volt system combines the existing 2.8-liter diesel engine and 8-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission with an electric motor-generator, a lithium-ion battery, and a DC-DC converter.

All components have been designed and positioned to withstand harsh environments while fully preserving the vehicle’s capabilities. For instance, the motor-generator is mounted high on the engine to maintain the vehicle’s 700 mm wading depth. At the same time, the 48-volt system is more compact than Toyota’s full hybrid setup, allowing it to be more easily integrated into existing powertrains without major redesigns.

The permanent magnet motor-generator draws power from the combustion engine and, in turn, charges the lithium-ion battery, offering a range of benefits to the model. Specifically, every time the driver releases the accelerator, energy is recovered and used to support the stop-start function, assist during acceleration, and enhance the Land Cruiser’s ability to overcome off-road obstacles.

The driver is informed about the operation of the mild hybrid system through the instrument cluster indicators, CHG, ECO, and PWR. Within the stop-start function, there is also an option to adjust the engine shutdown duration (Normal and Long). In the LONG setting, the engine remains off for a longer period when the air conditioning is active.

The lithium-ion battery consists of 13 cells with a capacity of 4.3 Ah. When fully charged, it can deliver up to 12 kW of power and 65 Nm of torque during start-up. Additionally, it has been designed with compact internal components to fit beneath a redesigned floor, minimizing its impact on luggage space.

Both the battery and the DC-DC converter are protected against moisture, while the cooling air for the system is primarily drawn from the front of the vehicle, where the temperature is lower than that inside the cabin. A filter prevents dust accumulation in the cooling ducts, and a fan maintains the temperature at safe levels.

Noise levels are comparable to those of petrol engines, while the system’s design prioritizes safety under all usage conditions typical of the Toyota Land Cruiser.

The 48-volt hybrid system will be adopted across all European Land Cruiser models, with the first customer deliveries scheduled for the end of the year.