DRIVEN New Toyota batttery-powered pick-up

REVEALED Long-served Hilux name is looking to the future with a new version powered by electricity

- Dean Gibson

AEX YOU'D be forgiven for not recognising the vehicle in these pictures. That's because, instead of following the traditional procedure and revealing images of the new Hilux weeks or even months ahead of first drives, Toyota has chosen to roll it all into one.

But not only has the dependable Hilux been given a new look inside and out, there are some fairly extensive changes under the skin, too. And the main one of these is that, for the first time ever, it's available with a zeroemission electric powertrain.

Based on a re-engineered ladderframe chassis, the drive battery is located between the frame rails.

This does mean a compromise in terms of battery size, though, with a modest 56.2kWh pack fitted.

This is connected to two electric motors one on each axle - so the Hilux BEV has permanent four-wheel drive. However, there are no diff locks or low-range gears included. Instead, a system called Multi-Terrain Select adjusts the response of the electric motors to the conditions, either automatically or by selecting one of five modes for different surfaces.