Last year, AutoIndustriya.com reported that Toyota is apparently working on a diesel hybrid powertrain. It will supposedly be revealed sometime in Q2 of this year and will reportedly be called 'GD Hybrid'.

Now, there seems to be a new update regarding the diesel-hybrid project Toyota has been working on. According to our friends over at headlightmag.com, Toyota is gearing up to launch an electrified version of the Fortuner next year.

Sources close to the matter told the Thai-based publication that the hybrid SUV will be powered by a mild-hybrid turbo-diesel and will be launched in The Land of Smiles in 2023. Once unveiled, it will serve as the first-ever 7-seat pick-up platform vehicle (PPV) to be available with a hybrid or mild-hybrid powertrain in its segment.

The mild-hybrid turbo-diesel will reportedly come with the 1GD-FTV 2.8-liter engine. It will then be paired with a special alternator, most likely an integrated starter generator (ISG) like the one in the Geely Okavango and Suzuki mild-hybrid models.

Toyota might launch Fortuner with mild-hybrid diesel in 2023 image

With the mild-hybrid system, the Fortuner can collect kinetic energy during braking/deceleration. This in turn can provide the SUV with additional torque under acceleration, as well as reduce fuel consumption via an auto start/stop system.

Other details regarding the GD Hybrid system are still a mystery. But given that Toyota is still working on it, we're not entirely surprised that some information about it is not yet available. Still, the mere fact that Toyota is developing a mild-hybrid diesel powertrain could be a game-changer.

With 2023 still several months away, we're hoping that more information about the GD Hybrid will be revealed including power, torque, fuel economy, and electric range. We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for any new information regarding the mild-hybrid diesel Toyota is working on.

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