AUTONEWS

Toyota partners with rivals to develop a new generation of combustion engines

In a strategic move for the future of mobility, Toyota this week announced a significant partnership with manufacturers Subaru and Mazda. The objective is to develop a new generation of combustion engines that promise to be more compact and efficient.

This announcement marks an important step in the trajectory of Toyota, a brand that has never hidden its intention to continue investing in internal combustion technologies, even in the face of the growing electric vehicle market.

According to Hiroki Nakajima, vice president of Toyota, the alliance seeks not only to innovate, but also to make hybrid vehicles more accessible to the general public. To achieve this, investments are planned in 1.5 and 2.0 engines, both four-cylinder.

These engines are designed for use in hybrid powertrains, combining efficiency with the ability to run on carbon-neutral fuels such as hydrogen, as well as gasoline and diesel.

Toyota has already achieved a thermal efficiency of 40% with its current engines and promises to surpass this number with the new product line expected to be introduced by 2027.

The new engines feature several technical innovations. The 1.5 engine will be available in two versions: one naturally aspirated and the other turbocharged. The naturally aspirated version will be up to 10% more compact than the current three-cylinder engine of the same capacity, which will enable vehicle designs with lower hood profiles and lower aerodynamic drag.

Furthermore, a shorter piston stroke will be compensated by the addition of an electric motor, ensuring adequate torque and promoting fuel savings that can reach 12% in models such as sedans. The 1.5 turbo engine promises to replace the current 2.5 naturally aspirated engines with 30% greater efficiency.

For heavier vehicles and sports models, the 2.0 turbo engine will be the most powerful option, replacing the current 2.4 turbo, and is also 10% smaller in size.

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