In an era where automaker announcements often highlight electric vehicles, Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru are taking a different approach. At a joint conference in Japan, these companies unveiled plans for new conventional engines, aiming to accelerate development and cut costs. This collaboration underscores their commitment to diverse powertrain technologies, including hybrids and biofuel-powered vehicles.
Toyota showcased its next-generation conventional engines, featuring 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter units designed to meet stricter emissions standards while significantly reducing volume and height compared to current models. These Japanese engines, suitable for various applications such as hybrids, represent the company’s strategy to pursue multiple avenues beyond just electric vehicles. The new 1.5-liter engine will be 10% smaller and lighter than its predecessor, commonly found in models like the Yaris. The 2.0-liter turbo engine will offer similar improvements over the existing 2.4-liter turbo engines used in larger vehicles.
Mazda displayed single- and dual-rotor rotary engines intended for electric vehicle applications. These Japanese engines, demonstrated in the MX-30 and Iconic SP sports car concept, serve as generators to charge the battery, lacking a direct mechanical connection to the wheels. Mazda hinted at potential future changes in the rotary engine’s application, currently used primarily for generators.
Subaru introduced a next-generation hybrid system within a camouflaged Crosstrek prototype. While the U.S. version of the third-generation Crosstrek lacks a hybrid option, other markets benefit from a setup combining a 2.0-liter boxer engine, a 12.3-kilowatt electric motor, and a small lithium-ion battery.
Despite their collaboration, Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru emphasized their continued rivalry. The new conventional engines will be smaller, allowing for lower hoods and better aerodynamics, enhancing efficiency and offering designers more creative freedom. The companies aim to integrate electric drive components, such as motors and batteries, into these next-generation internal combustion engines. This approach promises improved performance and the potential for more exciting driving experiences.
The joint efforts of these automakers will help decarbonize internal combustion engines by making them compatible with alternative fuels like liquid hydrogen, biofuel, and synthetic fuel. Their goal is to meet tougher emissions standards, such as the forthcoming “Euro 7” regulations in the European Union, which aim to reduce emissions from cars and vans by 2030 and ban new CO2-emitting cars by 2035.
Toyota’s Chief Technology Officer, Hiroki Nakajima, did not specify when these new engines will be available in production models. However, the collaboration reflects a broader trend in the automotive industry, where companies are innovating traditional engine technologies to complement the growing market for electric vehicles. With Japanese engines leading the charge in this multi-faceted approach, the future of internal combustion technology looks promising, balancing performance, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
