Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda have announced a joint commitment to develop new internal combustion engines (ICE).
The carmakers said the goal was to develop ‘new engines tailored to electrification and the pursuit of carbon neutrality.’ The engines will be optimised for integration with motors, batteries, and other electric drive units; be powerful but compact enough to allow for improved vehicle designs and aerodynamic performance; and be able to run on alternative fuels such as e-fuel (synthetic fuel), biofuels and the like.
Rather than develop and produce a common engine (or engines) the three companies said they will develop ‘signature’ engines. For Toyota, this means developing new inline-four engines; for Subaru, it means a horizontally opposed engine; and for Mazda it means the development use of a rotary engine of some kind (perhaps as a generator to energise a battery).
“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.
The multi-pronged approach to future powertrain development marks the three companies out from some of their peers which have embraced battery-electric technology. Hybrid systems are, for the moment anyway, extremely popular with consumers and it would seem will remain a major focus for the Japanese manufacturers.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (June 2024)
26 June 2024