Posted on 08/13/2025 7:11:07 AM PDT by Red Badger
Toyota is adamant that the internal combustion engine still has a bright future despite the rise of electric vehicles. The world’s largest carmaker has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to ICE by partnering with fellow Japanese brands Subaru and Mazda on a new family of gas engines. Smaller and lighter four-cylinder units are touted as a “game-changer solution” by the company’s Chief Technology Officer, Hiroki Nakajima.
We now know the Japanese automotive giant plans to use the upcoming 1.5- and 2.0-liter engines in nearly every conceivable type of powertrain. Toyota Europe Vice President of Product Strategy and Marketing Andrea Carlucci told Automotive News the new hardware’s versatility is key: “We are trying to optimize the new engine for any type of application, whether it’s electric, hybrid, or hydrogen.”
While the idea of a gas engine in an electric application might sound odd, a plausible scenario exists. Toyota is likely referring to extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), where the combustion engine doesn’t drive the wheels but instead serves solely as a generator to recharge the battery on the go. This setup allows the engine to run at optimal speeds for maximum efficiency. Examples include the BMW i3 REX, the Ramcharger, Mazda MX-30, Scout’s upcoming truck and SUV, and Nissan’s models equipped with E-Power tech.
Toyota has already announced plans to sell extended-range electric vehicles in China through its local joint venture with GAC, giving the Highlander SUV and Sienna minivan the EREV treatment. These models are expected to use a small engine that isn’t mechanically connected to the wheels. Instead, propulsion will come exclusively from electric motors, with the engine serving only to extend range without abandoning gasoline entirely.
Toyota achieved 41 percent thermal efficiency back in 2018 and could be aiming to improve that figure further. Its next-generation engines will run not only on fossil fuels, but also on biofuel, hydrogen, and synthetic fuel. Beyond full hybrids and EREVs, Toyota is also exploring long-range plug-in hybrids, with Carlucci estimating that 62 miles (100 kilometers) without sipping any gasoline represents the “tipping point.”
Confirmed engines include naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.5-liter units, along with a larger 2.0-liter turbo. Efficiency won’t be the only focus as the latter will also have a performance version for Gazoo Racing (GR) models, delivering up to 600 horsepower in race cars.
New Toyota four-cylinder engines
Carlucci also discussed vehicle architectures:
“Everybody has taken an ICE platform and turned it into something that is electrified to some degree. So, why not conceive a platform that is EV-native and see how much we can adapt it to be used for a plug-in hybrid or a full-hybrid without sacrificing any of the new platform’s strengths?”
Of course, dedicated electric platforms are nothing new. Tesla is the obvious example, but there’s also Volkswagen Group’s MEB, Hyundai and Kia’s E-GMP, and Mercedes’ EVA, among others. Additionally, some EV-native platforms can also accommodate combustion engines, such as Stellantis’ STLA Small, Medium, Large, and Frame. Scout’s upcoming models fit this category, as will VW Group vehicles on the forthcoming Scalable Systems Platform (SSP).
Much like Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda, who has famously said EVs will never exceed a 30 percent market share, Carlucci maintains that electric cars are not the sole path to decarbonization. He argues for powertrain diversity, giving customers the freedom to choose: “We will not push EVs in markets where there is no demand.”
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Toyoda was right. EV’s are crashing and burning. Literally in some cases.
The same basic idea as a diesel electric locomotive
Will Subaru finally walk away from the Boxer? Enquiring minds want to know.
Will Mazda finally walk away from the Rotary Engine?
Google AI:
Yes, Mazda is bringing back its rotary engine, but not in the way it has been used in the past. The rotary engine is now being used as a range extender for the Mazda MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV. This means it’s part of a plug-in hybrid system, where the rotary engine acts as a generator to charge the battery rather than directly powering the wheels.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV:
This is Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid model, and the rotary engine is a key component.
Range Extender:
The rotary engine doesn’t directly drive the wheels. Instead, it acts as a generator, charging the battery pack that powers the electric motor.
Not a Sports Car Engine:
Unlike past models like the RX-8, the rotary engine in the MX-30 R-EV is not designed for high-performance driving or as the primary source of power.
Carbon Neutral Fuels:
Mazda is also researching the use of carbon-neutral fuels with the rotary engine, potentially making it a more sustainable powertrain option according to Mazda.
Revival of Development:
Mazda has even re-established a dedicated “RE Development Group” to further research and development of the rotary engine.
“The same basic idea as a diesel electric locomotive”
Nope. Locomotives don’t use batteries for propulsion.
So it's for EV's.
This is good news. I thought I was going to have to find a 68 Dodge Dart with a slant six, a three on the tree, and put an aftermarket fuel injection system on it for my future travels. This, with electric motor drive will put a stake through the heart of CV transmissions. The only CV transmission I want is the one that drives my 169cc scooter. I can maintain and repair that one in my garage with my tools.
The cost of repairs and maintenance on new vehicles is so ridiculous that I won’t buy one. We are back to vehicles that hit the junkyard at 100K miles because of transmission and computer issues.
The Otto Cycle rules and will rule for decades to come.
“We are back to vehicles that hit the junkyard at 100K miles because of transmission and computer issues.”
Toyota and Lexus are just getting broken in at 100k!
Even my brother can’t break his Tacomas.
“The cost of repairs and maintenance on new vehicles is so ridiculous that I won’t buy one. “
The only repairsI have spent on my cars bought new since 1977:
1982 Z28 - leaking rear main seal
1990 Jeep Cherokee - Replaced windshield wiper motor. Screw had come loose jamming mechanism burning out motor.
Yes.
BMW i3 REX
About 100 mile range on battery.
1.7 gallon gas tank.
“Toyoda was right. EV’s are crashing and burning. Literally in some cases.”
These ARE EVs!
Toyota seems to have found a good solution with the Prius.
“Even my brother can’t break his Tacomas.”
Turning 164,000 on my Honda Ridgeline today or tomorrow. Purchased it new in ‘07.
I think Toyota uses such an engine in the prius, namely, one that is most efficient in a small RPM range and doesn’t need to have a lot of torque over a wider range of RPM.
AKA in auto-talk: Hybrid.
there, fixed it ...
Porsche is not doing so.
“Toyota Wants to Use Its New Gas Engines for Everything...The upcoming family of combustion engines works with all types of drivetrains.”
indeed ... same reason oil stocks skyrocketed after the covid-collapse of the stock market and have never looked back since ... no amount of windmills and solar panels will EVER replace fossil fuel energy ...
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