Toyota said that the MHEV tech will be installed in all Land Cruiser models in Europe.

Updates to the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, which is now available for purchase in foreign regions, include a 48V mild hybrid system. Toyota asserts that the Prado’s diesel engine runs more smoothly because of the mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) system. The Japanese automaker stated that the MHEV technology will be installed in all Land Cruiser models in Europe.

The 48V mild hybrid system now supports the Prado SUV’s current 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which produces 204 horsepower and 500 Nm and is paired to an 8-speed automated transmission. This 7.6 kg hybrid system includes a DC-DC power converter, a 48V 4.3Ah lithium-ion battery, and an electric motor-generator (instead of the traditional alternator).

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Together, these give an extra 16 horsepower and 65 Nm at startup and allow auto start-stop for improved fuel efficiency. Under engine braking, the motor recovers energy to charge the tiny battery. Recently, Toyota’s mild-hybrid system was added to the Toyota Fortuner in India, which is powered by the same diesel engine.

“The system in no way compromises the Land Cruiser [Prado’s] ability to operate in extreme conditions and rough terrain,” Toyota stated. Additionally, it made sure that the new motor-generator, which is waterproofed and situated high on the engine block, would not interfere with the Land Cruiser Prado’s 700 mm wading capacity.

“The motor-generator increases its capacity to overcome barriers on harsher, off-road terrain… The Japanese automaker added, “The driver’s multi-information display shows the operating status with a read-out indicating CHG (energy regeneration), ECO, or PWR (providing assistance in both cases).”

We previously reported that Toyota would introduce the Prado (also known as the LC 250) in India later this year. A precise timeline is yet unknown, though. It will sit beneath the Land Cruiser (or LC 300) if it is introduced here.

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With the addition of a 48V mild hybrid system, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado’s 204 hp, 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine now runs more smoothly and efficiently thanks to auto start-stop and a 16 hp/65 Nm boost at startup.

This MHEV technology, which is also used in the Indian Fortuner, was created especially to preserve the Prado’s well-known off-road skills and its 700 mm water wading capacity. The Prado (LC 250) is expected to launch in India later this year, though exact dates have not yet been confirmed.