Toyota Showcases Next-Generation Engines for Multiple Vehicle Types
TapTechNews May 28th news, according to Reuters, the world's largest automaker, Toyota, showcased the next-generation engines on Tuesday, which can be applied to various models such as hybrid electric vehicles and biofuel vehicles to meet stricter emission standards while adhering to its diversified powertrain strategy, not just limited to electric vehicles.
At a joint media event with partners Subaru and Mazda, Toyota demonstrated the 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engines it is developing. Compared to the current engines, their volumes and heights have been significantly reduced. The three companies said in a joint statement: Through these engines, we will be committed to optimizing their integration with electric motors, batteries, and other electric drive devices. Toyota holds about one-fifth of Subaru's shares and about 5% of Mazda's shares.
They stated that this effort would help reduce the carbon emissions of internal combustion engines by making the engines compatible with alternative fuel sources such as e-fuels and biofuels. The more compact engines can also lower the height of the vehicle's front end, thereby improving vehicle design.
Toyota said its new 1.5-liter engine will have a 10% reduction in volume and weight compared to the existing 1.5-liter engine (commonly used in compact cars such as the Yaris). The new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine will also bring similar improvements, and there will be significant improvements compared to the existing 2.4-liter turbocharged engine used in large three-row SUVs.
Toyota's chief technology officer, Hiroki Nakajima, did not disclose the launch time of the models equipped with the new engines.
Automakers are facing stricter emission standards. For example, the European Union is formulating the Euro 7 standard, which will apply to cars and trucks from 2030 and plans to ban the sale of new fuel vehicles in 2035.
In recent years, although electric vehicles have become increasingly popular, Toyota has been adhering to the multi-path carbon neutral strategy and providing a series of models with various powertrains. TapTechNews noted that from January to March this year, Toyota sold about 2.4 million vehicles, nearly two-fifths of which were hybrid electric vehicles. The total share of plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and pure electric vehicles was only 2.9%. Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda said in January that he expects the share of electric vehicles in the global automotive market to reach a maximum of 30%, and the rest will be divided by hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, and fuel vehicles.