Toyota unveils cleaner engines, 10-speed gearbox

Between 2017 and 2021, Toyota plans to introduce 9 brand new engines, 4 transmissions and 6 new hybrid systems for its TNGA-based vehicles.

With environmental norms getting stricter day by day, Toyota has announced a new range of cleaner, greener and more efficient powertrains and transmissions for its future models. Starting from 2017, Toyota will introduce 17 variations of 9 brand new engines, 10 versions of 4 transmissions and a total of 6 new hybrid systems until 2021. All these improved components will slot into the products based on Toyota’s TNGA (Toyota Next Generation Architecture) platform. As of now, Toyota has only detailed one engine, two transmissions and three hybrid systems from its future range.

Speaking of the engines, they will be branded as “Dynamic Force”. As per Toyota, the new engines will have high-speed combustion technology as well as variable control system. Toyota also claims the new engine will have higher power outputs and greater thermal efficiency (nearly over 40 per cent) than the current powertrains. The first of the new engine that’s been unveiled is a direct-injection 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. This engine is expected to debut with the all new Camry in 2017.

On the hybrid side of things, Toyota has confirmed that its hybrid technology has been re-engineered, and as a result, it’s now called Toyota Hybrid System II (THS-II). The new hybrid setup will have reduced size and weight, while it will also have increased efficiency and performance. Apart from that, it can also be incorporated in both front- and rear-wheel drive layouts. In addition to that, Toyota has also revealed that it’ll be paying more attention towards plug-in hybrid models. The new plug-in versions will have dual-drive mode, meaning the electric motor that was previously used exclusively as a generator will also power the wheels in the new system. Running on electricity alone, the system will have an increased range of 60 kilometers (vs 40km in the new Prius).

Alongside the new powertrains, Toyota has announced the introduction of two new automatic transmission for its TNGA-based models. There’s an 8-speed automatic for front-wheel drive cars whereas a 10-speed automatic will be employed in rear-/all-wheel drive cars. According to Toyota, the new transmissions have less energy losses, smoother shifts and close-gear ratios with wider range for better performance. Not to mention, they’re light and more compact than the current gearboxes.

Toyota will roll out the full range by 2021 with 60 percent of Toyota and Lexus vehicles getting the new cleaner components. The company forecasts that this will help reduce the CO2 emissions by 15 per cent globally.

Also read: 2017 Toyota Prius Review