Isuzu working on D-Max mild hybrid 2.2L turbo diesel?

Just before the holidays last year, Toyota launched the Hilux Hybrid 48V for the European market. With it, the pickup truck is now available with a mild hybrid system that provides extra oomph while helping reduce carbon emissions.

With Toyota the first Japanese automaker to offer an electrified diesel pickup truck, it won't be long before another manufacturer follows suit. In fact, Isuzu is apparently testing a mild hybrid version of the D-Max in Thailand.

According to our friends over at headlightmag, Isuzu has been spotted testing a prototype D-Max fitted with a 2.2-liter turbo diesel that's assisted by a 48V mild hybrid system. While exact specifications have yet to be revealed, the mild hybrid turbo diesel could function similarly to what Toyota is using for the Hilux Hybrid – meaning the 2.2-liter engine will likely come with a belt starter generator (BSG).

The BSG will help reduce vibration during startups, provide faster acceleration, especially during overtaking, as well as help reduce carbon emissions. As for the engine itself, the 2.2-liter turbo diesel is supposedly based on the RZ family of engines from which the 1.9-liter RZ4E also comes.

Isuzu is reportedly targeting to have the mild hybrid D-Max out by 2025. Once it's revealed, the electrified 2.2-liter engine could essentially replace the 1.9-liter RZ4E and the 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX turbo diesel engines. Alternatively, the 2.2-liter mild hybrid turbo diesel could be marketed together alongside the 1.9-liter and 3.0-liter engines.

We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for any new information regarding the mild hybrid Isuzu D-Max.