Toyota Targets 15% Better Economy With New Hybrid Engine

Toyota says a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and redesigned hybrid components will underpin its next generation of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, with a targeted fuel-economy improvement of more than 15% over current systems. The engine is being developed specifically for electrified powertrains and will be offered in naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions. Toyota says the naturally aspirated model is intended to replace existing 1.5-liter and 1.8-liter engines. Smaller, lighter electric motors, power control units and inverters are also part of the redesigned system. Toyota attributes the intended efficiency gain to lower mechanical friction, improved thermal management and reduced electrical losses. The company also says the more compact powertrain can be integrated into a shared vehicle architecture designed to accommodate hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles. It expects that approach to let factories adjust the mix of powertrains in response to customer demand, rather than relying on separate architectures for each type. The efficiency figure is a company target, not a measured result from production vehicles. Toyota has not confirmed...