Toyota has a reputation as one of the most innovative manufacturers in the automotive sector. The world has become enamored by the electric vehicle and the alternatively powered hydrogen vehicles that have emerged to challenge the internal combustion engine’s dominance in the mobility sector. Toyota was seen as a pioneer in the hybrid engine sector but has since fallen behind its compatriots in the adoption of the electric motor into its family of cars. However, Toyota serves as the last stand for the fight to keep the ICE relevant in modern-day society.
The electric motor and hydrogen engine have overtaken the ICE on today’s roads
The electric vehicle has become the best-selling vehicle type in the world at the moment. Most of the world’s nations have incentivized electric vehicles and given subsidies to those who opt to buy electric instead of traditional ICE cars. As a result, the electric vehicle has become immensely popular in most countries. With Tesla dominating the West and BYD wrapping up the East, the EV is seen as the car of the future.
Hydrogen has emerged from the dust of the EV evolution as a viable option for the automotive sector’s needs. Companies such as Hyundai have made massive investments and commitments to hydrogen as the fuel of tomorrow and state that hydrogen is yet to be fully explored concerning its practical application in the mobility world.
Some car manufacturers have not given up on the internal combustion engine
As a result of the rise of the electric vehicle and hydrogen-powered alternatives, the internal combustion engine has been forgotten by the majority of the world’s car makers as they all aim to piggyback on the EV’s success. The latest trend that has encompassed the automotive sector is the hybrid engine, which has become the engine of choice for the world’s top supercar makers, so the ICE is still alive.
However, if the ICE is to survive the electric evolution taking place, it is going to need some significant investments from a major manufacturer, which it has now received thanks to Toyota. The engine needs to essentially be redesigned to be more efficient and crucially produce fewer emissions, which means it needs to be smaller.
Toyota’s new engine is a record-breaking internal combustion engine designed for the future
Reports have emerged that Toyota is working on an internal combustion engine that could be a record breaker for the Japanese giant. Toyota is developing a new 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter gasoline engines for future models. In May 2024, Toyota confirmed the development of new 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engines, as part of its collaboration with Subaru and Mazda for the future of internal combustion engines (ICE).
While its compatriots explore their own futures and designs, Toyota has doubled down on its commitment to keep the internal combustion engine relevant. Toyota specifically stated that the new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine will surpass the current turbo 2.4-liter unit in power while being smaller in size and more fuel-efficient. Best Car reports that the racing version of the 2.0-liter unit could produce as much as 592 hp, which is a record for a 2-liter engine.
Can Toyota keep the internal combustion engine alive with this new rendition?
Some of the largest automotive companies in the world have committed to the alternative fuel race. Toyota proved to the world that an alternative hybrid engine was possible with the Prius way back in 1997; however, since that initial pioneering car, Toyota has struggled to keep up with the progress in the EV sector and has experienced a drop in sales as a result. This new engine is a commitment to the internal combustion engine by Toyota and a promise to the world that at least one company will keep working to keep the ICE alive.
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