Toyota is introducing a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine to the Yaris range, which is set to replace the current 1.33-litre unit, offering not only more power, more torque and faster acceleration, but also improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.
Developed in anticipation of the future Euro 6c emissions standard and RDE (Real Driving Emission) homologation requirements, it is a member of Toyota’s ESTEC (Economy with Superior Thermal Efficiency) engine family. IThe engine gains several new technical features that Toyota states deliver ‘better performance and a more enjoyable drive, while at the same time achieving a reduction of up to 12% in fuel consumption’, under current NEDC official test criteria.
The new unit is being manufactured by Toyota Motor Industries Poland as part of a €150m (US$160m) production investment programme by Toyota Motor Europe.
In the Yaris, the naturally aspirated 1,496cm2 engine develops a maximum 110bhp/82kW and peak torque of 136Nm at 4,400rpm. Its responsiveness ensures a comfortable drive both in urban traffic and on the open road. Compared to the 1.33-litre unit, it is 0.8 seconds quicker in acceleration from 0–62mph (11.0 versus 11.8), while at overtaking speed the improvement is more than a second, moving from 50 to 75mph in 17.6 seconds compared to 18.8.
Toyota also states that its experience in hybrid powertrain technology has proved valuable in addressing the challenges presented by the new Euro 6c emissions standard and RDE homologation cycle. The new engine is said to have achieved a 38.5% thermal efficiency value through the use of a 13.5:1 compression ratio, the adoption of a cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and by extending the engine’s variable valve timing operation so that the engine can switch between Otto and Atkinson cycles to gain optimum efficiency in different driving conditions. The engineers also focused on improving fuel consumption at sustained motorway cruising speeds, leading to the use – for the first time on a Toyota – of a water-cooled exhaust manifold.
