New Toyota Engines Are Smaller But Improved

New Toyota Engines Are Smaller But Improved

Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda predicts that battery-powered electric vehicles will never surpass a 30-percent market share. He also believes that the internal combustion engine isn't the enemy, but rather the carbon emissions it produces. With this perspective, it's no surprise that the Japanese automaker is still developing ICEs. This week, a new family of inline-four engines was announced. Here's what we know about them.

These engines will run on traditional fossil fuels as well as carbon-neutral options like liquid hydrogen, synthetic fuel, and biofuel. During a joint conference with Mazda and Subaru, Toyota revealed three new engines. Among them is a new naturally aspirated 1.5-liter unit, approximately 10 percent smaller in volume and height compared to the current engine. This new engine will be more powerful and efficient, with a promised weight reduction of around 10 percent.

New Toyota Engines Are Smaller But Improved

Specific details about output and fuel economy have not been released yet, as the four-cylinder engine is still in development. Toyota has installed it in a Prius prototype and displayed it separately as well. The company claims its new engines will "revolutionize vehicle packaging" due to their smaller size. By making the engines smaller, Toyota can lower a car's hood, improving aerodynamics and further enhancing fuel economy.

The second engine in development is a turbocharged 1.5-liter unit, which will be 20 percent smaller in volume than the current naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine. Additionally, its height will be reduced by 15 percent. This engine will offer comparable power with a significant efficiency improvement of approximately 30 percent.

New Toyota Engines Are Smaller But Improved

The most powerful engine in the lineup will be a turbocharged 2.0-liter unit. Compared to the existing 2.4-liter turbo engine, this new unit will have a 10-percent smaller volume and a 10-percent height reduction. Toyota promises substantially more power and a 30-percent increase in efficiency.

These new engines are designed for hybrid and plug-in hybrid applications. The Financial Times reports that these inline-fours will debut in electrified cars near the end of 2026. Interestingly, some versions of the engines will also run on diesel, according to FT.

New Toyota Engines Are Smaller But Improved

Toyota's collaboration with Subaru and Mazda makes perfect sense given Toyota's 20-percent stake in Subaru and five percent stake in Mazda. These new engines are specifically designed for Toyota models. Subaru is developing a next-gen hybrid system based on its boxer engine, while Mazda is investing in its rotary engine as a generator.

In addition to the new engines for "electric-rich" hybrids and PHEVs, Toyota is considering establishing a carbon-neutral fuel supply chain. To achieve this, it is partnering with Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan, the country's largest oil company Eneos, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The goal is to ensure the longevity of internal combustion engines through decarbonization.

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