Toyota Land Cruiser 250 Gains New 48V MHEV Diesel Variant in Europe

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (250 Series) gains a new Hybrid 48V variant in Europe, featuring a mild hybrid diesel powertrain.

Toyota has expanded the Land Cruiser Prado (250 Series) lineup in Europe by unveiling a new Hybrid 48V variant. And as its name suggests, it features a 48-volt mild hybrid (MHEV) turbodiesel powertrain borrowed from the EU-spec Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48V.

Said MHEV powertrain setup comprises a familiar 2.8 litre 4-cyl 1GD-FTV turbodiesel engine that is used on the standard LC250 variant, which has been mated to a 48-volt electric motor-generator, an 8-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission, and Toyota’s proprietary 4x4 four-wheel drive (FWD) system with rear diff-lock. The MHEV system itself generates an additional 16 HP (12 kW) and 65 Nm, thus filling the gaps and lags left by the 201 HP and 500 Nm-rated turbodiesel engine.

And just like other MHEVs, the LC250 Hybrid 48V also features a regenerative function, with its small 48-volt lithium-ion battery recovering the energy from energy braking when the throttle has been lifted. For better durability and protection, Toyota has fitted the 48V battery and its DC-DC converter with ample water and dust protection, including a filter to prevent dust or dirt build-ups.

As a result, the LC250 Hybrid 48V promises to deliver the same off-road driving capabilities as their non-electrified counterparts, including its water-wading capacity of up to 700 mm.

For on-road usage, the diesel-MHEV combo promises to deliver a more composed and comfortable ride, as the mild electrification helps to smooth out the acceleration, which Toyota claims its noise and vibration to be on par with their petrol-powered counterparts. Additionally, the MHEV system also enables quicker and quieter engine start-stop performance, with drivers able to choose from Normal or Long modes.

In terms of visuals, the new Land Cruiser 250 48V Hybrid retains the same rugged looks as its full-combustion twins. Besides the new bronze exterior hue shown, we can expect other design bits like the 20-inch alloy wheels shod in all-terrain (AT) tyres, black plastic underbody claddings, built-in roof rails, and a panoramic sunroof to be available in this new electrified variant too.

Sales for the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser 250 48V Hybrid are slated to commence soon, with deliveries expected to begin from the end of 2025. In the UK, all LC250 variants will adopt the new MHEV diesel powertrain in the near future, with prices set to be confirmed soon.

Closer to home, the Toyota Land Cruiser 250 has yet to make its debut in any right-hand drive (RHD) markets in ASEAN, as the off-roader SUV is currently on sale in left-hand drive (LHD) countries like Vietnam and the Philippines as the Land Cruiser Prado.