Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Unveiled with New Mild Hybrid Powertrain

Toyota has added mild-hybrid technology to the Land Cruiser Prado in Europe for 2026. As a result, the off-roader’s existing 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which uses an 8-speed automatic gearbox, benefits from a 48V mild-hybrid system. The electrified system is more compact than the company's conventional full hybrid setup, according to Toyota. It can be seamlessly integrated into existing powertrains without any major redesign or re-engineering. As for power, the engine alone produces 201bhp and 500Nm. However, the hybrid system offers a power boost of 16bhp and 65Nm. To know how the new hybrid system works, read on. 

Toyota Hybrid 48V system

The 48V hybrid system in the Land Cruiser Prado boasts three major components (an electric motor generator, a 48V lithium-ion battery, and a DC-DC converter), all of which aim to enhance efficiency and performance. The electric motor-generator, positioned high on the engine, charges the battery and recovers energy during braking. This energy powers the stop-start system and assists during acceleration. Toyota claims that the system also improves deceleration for a more natural feel. The positioning of the motor-generator allows the car to preserve its 700mm water-wading capability at low speeds.

Also Read: Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Globally Revealed with 457bhp Hybrid Powertrain

The 48V hybrid system makes the engine stop-start faster as well as smoother. With the motor-generator always connected, restarts are faster even at higher speeds. The system auto-stops the engine in heavy traffic or if the brake is released accidentally. Drivers can choose Normal or Long stop times, with the latter extending stops when the air conditioning is on to save fuel.

The 48V hybrid battery is compact and lightweight (7.6 kg), and has 13 cells. It is finely tucked under the floor, saving much of the space, and is capable of giving the engine an additional boost of 16bhp and 65Nm when starting off.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado: Design

The model remains unchanged from its older counterpart, with elements such as square side mirrors and a signature grille design.

Also Read: Toyota Fortuner, Legender Now Get Hybrid Variants in India, Launched at Rs 44.72 Lakh

The SUV is offered in eight attractive colour options, and has rectangular headlamps and a muscular bonnet. It boasts a rugged stance with pronounced wheel arches.