Toyota has put its proverbial powertrain eggs in just the hybrid basket in recent years, but it looks like the automaker is going add of downsized engines and direct injection to help increase non-hybrid efficiency.
According to Automotive News, Toyota will introduce a slew of revised engines and new transmissions over the next two years. Toyota has quickly become one of the few automakers not to take advantage of the efficiency gains of variable valve timing direct injection, and turbocharging.
Toyota is hoping to begin rolling out two new engines and two new transmissions starting next year. AN reports the first of which will be a new 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle I-4 with direct injection, slated to find its way into the brand’s hybrids. Coming in 2014 will be a 2.0-liter turbo-four, along with a new continuously variable transmission for small-to-midsize cars and six- or eight-speed transmissions for larger vehicles. Currently, only Toyota hybrids use a CVT and the Lexus LS and IS F are the only models in the company’s portfolio to use eight-speed automatics. It’s also been rumored that Toyota may introduce a CVT in the next-generation Corolla to replace the current car’s four-speed auto.
According to our source close to the matter, Toyota originally planned on introducing a direct-injection V-6 in the 2013 Avalon, but delayed that to 2015. The automaker has had direct injection-equipped engines on sale outside of North American since 2006, and only recently introduced the technology in the U.S. in the Lexus GS and LS and Scion FR-S.
-Courtest of MotorTrend
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