This week’s Ploughing marked the first public appearance of the all-new Toyota Hilux. The latest generation is equipped with a hybrid diesel engine, which the manufacturer says is more economical.

To be exact, the 2.8l turbo diesel engine is married up with a 48V hybrid system, churning out the same 201bhp as the outgoing Hilux generation and current generation Land Cruiser. Meanwhile, the manual transmission has been dropped in favour of a six-speed automatic. In a similar fashion to the Land Cruiser, the new Hilux features new, more modern styling than the previous generations. Inside, the interior has been heavily updated, again similar to the current generation Land Cruiser.

The transmission gives a two-wheel-drive option for general road use, as well as high and low ratios along with four-wheel-drive settings for off-road use.

Within the off-road settings, the multi-terrain select (MTS) system gives a range of options, and it can be incorporated with a Hill Descent Control and central differential locking system, both of which are button controlled electronically.

The towing rating remains unchanged at 3.5 tonnes with a braked trailer, while the payload is the same at 1 tonne, across a slightly larger rear pick-up area. Pricing starts from €65,200 including VAT.