Expect a PHEV version of the AH40 2023 Toyota Alphard and Vellfire

The 2023 AH40 Toyota Alphard and Vellfire festival shows no signs of slowing down as news of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant surfaces.

In all honesty, news of a PHEV Alphard and Vellfire isn’t surprising at all. For one, the premium MPVs ride on the same TNGA-K platform for large vehicles. Among the models sharing it include the RAV4, Harrier, Camry, Crown and Lexus NX.

And what do all these models have in common? That’s right, they all PHEV variants, as pointed out by Japanese publication Best Car Web.

Secondly, it just makes sense for Toyota to introduce a PHEV Alphard and Vellfire because money is all that matters.

News from the grapevine is that Toyota already has PHEV variants of the MPV duo ready to go in 2024, alongside the popular ‘G’ trim of those models.

Similarly, to the other models that share the same platform, the PHEV variants should combine a front and rear electric motor with the existing Dynamic Force 2.5-litre direct-injection engine for a total output in the range of 306 PS. That’s no slouch for a fridge on wheels, albeit a very premium one.

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This will also give the PHEV variants 4-wheel drive (4WD), or as Toyota calls it, E-Four.

This setup is identical to the regular hybrid electric Alphard that features the same Dynamic Force A25A-FXS 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine paired with an e-motor up front and an e-motor at the rear axle.

The front engine + e-motor setup makes a combined 250 PS while the rear e-motor makes 54 PS/121 Nm of torque. The battery is also expected to be the same NiMH type.

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As for the E-Four system, it’ll primarily drive the front wheels and only engage the rear if necessary. However, the torque distribution can vary between 100:0 to 20:80.

Fuel consumption is expected to be around the same or a little lower as the regular hybrid. Figures quoted by Toyota for the Alphard Z E-Four puts that number at 16.7km/l for the WLTC method. The PHEV variant is estimated to about 16km/l.

Although the fuel consumption is slightly inferior to the regular hybrid, the PHEV Alphard is expected to have an electric-only range of about 90 km, more than making up for the negligible fuel difference.

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Price would also be a major factor in the decision-making process. PHEVs are generally more expensive and it’s no different here as the Alphard Z PHEV would command an estimated 7.7 million yen (~RM 245,000).

Lastly, the same source of the rumours did indicate that the Alphard PHEV would also support fast-charging, something the RAV4 and Harrier didn’t adopt.