New Toyota inline-4 engine produces sporty sound profile
At the end of May, the Japanese automotive giant Toyota announced the development of a new 1.5 and 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine as a way to achieve carbon neutrality.
According to Toyota, the new engine is designed to be more compact and lighter, while at the same time capable of delivering higher power and offering better fuel efficiency.
Based on a recent video uploaded on the Toyota Times YouTube channel, the new engine is expected to be installed in a new model possibly being developed by Lexus.
The exterior design of the model is intentionally blurred, but from the cabin space, we can see the design of a four-door sedan that may refer to the new generation of Lexus IS.
The actual sporty sound of this new Toyota engine can be clearly heard as test driver Takashi Uehara shifts gears using paddle shifters. Toyota Times journalist Yuta Tomikawa, sitting in the passenger seat, seemed excited as the new sedan did not produce significant vibrations even when driven at high speeds.
According to Uehara, due to the more compact size of the engine, the new Toyota powerplant can be positioned further back. This lower center of gravity is seen to help control and reduce perceived cabin vibrations, as previously demonstrated in the Toyota Prius engine compartment.
Toyota claims that the 1.5-liter turbo engine is 20 percent smaller in size compared to the existing 2.5-liter NA engine, with a 15 percent weight reduction and a 30 percent efficiency increase.
Meanwhile, the 2.0-liter turbo engine will be 10 percent smaller and lighter than the existing 2.4-liter engine, with increased horsepower and a 30 percent fuel savings.
With the mentioned benefits, the new engine is also seen as having the potential to be installed in high-performance sports cars, such as the new generation Toyota GR86.
It is highly likely that this latest Toyota ICE engine will also be included in the upcoming Toyota Celica and MR2, which are said to be currently in development.
