Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru join forces on new eco-friendly engines
As more and more vehicle manufacturers push towards the common goal of achieving carbon neutrality, Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru have announced their plans to develop new engines tailored to electrification as they work around the clock to reach a zero-emissions future.
The engines aim to optimise integration with electric motors, battery packs, and other electric drive units to decarbonise internal combustion engines by making them use various carbon-neutral fuels.
Rather than developing a common engine for the trio, each manufacturer will build a unique engine to meet their specific goals. In this case, Toyota plans to introduce in-line four units with more power and better efficiency, while Subaru will work on enhancing its horizontally opposed boxer engine, which is said to have fewer vibrations and a lower centre of gravity.
Mazda, on the other hand, will pursue rotary engines that aren’t only compact but powerful.
“In order to provide our customers with diverse options to achieve carbon neutrality, it is necessary to take on the challenge of evolving engines that are in tune with the energy environment of the future. The three companies, which share the same aspirations, will refine engine technologies through friendly competition,” said Koji Sato, President, Member of the Board of Directors, and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation.
Having said that, the new engines will be smaller, stronger, and more efficient than the current models. This will also allow engineers to enhance the car’s design and aerodynamic performance with less engine compartment space needed, all while complying with demanding emissions standards.
Furthermore, the engines will eliminate any environmentally harmful fossil fuels and will be compatible with a variety of alternatives, such as e-fuels made from hydrogen and carbon dioxide and biofuels derived from biomass.
While many manufacturers are ditching the combustion engine, the Japanese trio remains faithful to the unit, and by integrating the attributes of the new engines with hybrid systems, they aim to give new life to a technology that has been with us for more than a century.
