Toyota Announces New TNGA-Based Transmissions, Engines and All-Wheel-Drive Systems

Toyota Motor Corporation announced that it has developed a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), six-speed manual transmission, 2.0-litre engine, 2.0-litre hybrid electric system and all-wheel drive systems based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), its framework for making ever-better cars. The new technologies it is deploying offer both improved driving and environmental performance.

The new CVT is the world’s first to feature a launch gear, which significantly improves transmission efficiency at low speeds. It delivers direct and smooth response to the driver’s use of the accelerator pedal, and superior fuel efficiency.

DIRECT SHIFT-CVT: A NEW TYPE OF CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION

The basic functions of any transmission are to achieve efficient operation, maintain the engine within its most efficient speed ranges and effect highly responsive gear changes. To improve these functions, Toyota has worked to reduce mechanical losses, adopt a wider gear range and improve shift tracking. This results in a direct, smooth driving experience with superior fuel efficiency – improved by six per cent compared to the current Toyota CVT.

Reduced mechanical losses

The new unit marks a world-first¹ for a CVT in a passenger vehicle by using a launch gear. This secures more efficient operation in lower gear ratios where belt efficiency is typically poor. The system uses gear drive when starting from stationary, giving powerful acceleration and resolving the momentary sluggish feeling that can occur under acceleration. Launch performance is thus made smooth and comfortable. When switching from gear drive to belt drive, the transmission uses highly responsive gear change control technologies, developed from those used in automatic transmissions.

Conversion to wider gear ranges

In line with the use of a launch gear, belt drive is specified for higher gear ratios. This new set-up not only improves the efficiency of belt use, but also allows wider gear ranges to be adopted. This delivers a class-leading¹ gear ratio range for 2.0-litre powertrains of 7.5.

 Improved shift tracking

The use of launch gears reduces input load, which in turn means that the size of the belt and the pulley components can be reduced. The belt angle has been made narrower and pulley diameters have been made smaller, resulting in shift speeds that are 20 per cent faster. This helps secure powerful, rhythmic acceleration

NEW SIX-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Toyota has also developed a new manual transmission, responding to global needs, particularly in Europe. Compared to the existing unit, the new system is 7kg lighter and is shorter by 24mm, making it one of the smallest transmissions in the world and contributing to improved fuel efficiency. It achieves world-leading¹ transmission efficiency, while the use of iMT (intelligent manual transmission) controls automatically adjusts engine revs when changing gear to ensure smooth shifts, free from any uncomfortable recoil.

2.0-LITRE DYNAMIC FORCE ENGINE: A NEW IN-LINE FOUR-CYLINDER DIRECT INJECTION PETROL ENGINE

Toyota’s new Dynamic Force Engine uses high-speed combustion technologies and a variable control system. It has been engineered to achieve higher thermal efficiency, with a reduction in the losses associated with exhaust and cooling systems, the friction between moving parts and other operating aspects.

As a result, the new 2.0-litre engine achieves world-leading¹ thermal efficiency of 40 per cent in a petrol vehicle and 41 per cent in a hybrid electric vehicle. In addition, compared to existing engines, the new units deliver higher torque at all engine speeds and will comply ahead of time with expected future exhaust regulations in all countries where they will be sold.

2.0-LITRE TOYOTA HYBRID SYSTEM (THS II)

Toyota has developed a new hybrid electric system for 2.0-litre engines, using the same size, weight and loss-reducing technologies applied in the current, fourth generation Prius. The new system gives improved driving performance while maintaining superior fuel efficiency. Under acceleration, the hybrid system reduces engine revs while drawing increased electric power from the battery.

NEW DYNAMIC TORQUE VECTORING AWD AND E-FOUR AWD SYSTEMS

Toyota has developed two new all-wheel drive systems with the aim of improving fuel efficiency and achieving high levels of AWD handling, stability and off-road performance.

The new Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD system is designed for use in petrol-powered vehicles. It uses a torque vectoring mechanism, which independently distributes torque to the left and right wheels according driving conditions, allowing the driver to steer the vehicle exactly as intended. It also achieves high off-road performance, even in the toughest conditions.

The system incorporates a disconnect system, which features the world’s first¹ ratchet-type dog clutches on both the front and rear wheel shafts. These clutches stop rotation of the drive system, which transmits driving force to the rear wheels when in two-wheel drive mode. This significantly reduces energy losses and improves fuel efficiency.

The new E-Four system will be used in hybrid electric vehicles. It delivers 30 per cent more total torque to the rear wheels (which are electrically driven) than the current version. By using a new control system that optimally distributes torque to the rear wheels, based on driving conditions, it delivers a high level of off-road performance, handling and stability.

Furthermore, both the Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD and E-Four systems benefit from AWD Integrated Management (AIM), which harmonises engine, transmission, braking and AWD systems to gain excellent handling and stability, regardless of road surface conditions.

MARKET INTRODUCTION AND ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT

Toyota intends to expand the number of models equipped with the new powertrain units from spring 2018 onwards.

These powertrain units will not only contribute to improved environmental and driving performance in conventional petrol engined vehicles, but their core technologies will also support improved performance in electrified vehicles, including hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles. In this way, these technologies have a role to play in Toyota’s efforts to popularise electrified vehicles.

Where TNGA-based powertrains are concerned, Toyota has already announced plans to introduce 17 versions of nine engines, 10 versions of four transmissions and 10 versions of six hybrid systems by the end of 2021. The new CVT, six-speed manual transmission, 2.0-litre petrol engine and 2.0-litre hybrid electric system are four of the planned components.

Within the next five years, to the end of 2023, Toyota aims to have TNGA powertrain units installed in approximately 80 per cent of the Toyota and Lexus brand vehicles sold each year in Europe, Japan, the USA and China. It forecasts that these units alone will improve fuel efficiency sufficiently to reduce the CO₂ emissions from Toyota vehicles by more than 18 per cent.

¹ As of February 2018 (Toyota Motor Corporation)

²Comparison of average amount of CO₂ emitted by Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in 2015 in Japan, the United States, Europe, and China and the average amount of CO₂ emitted by Toyota and Lexus vehicles planned to be sold in 2023 in Japan, the United States, Europe, and China, including vehicles equipped with the newly developed powertrain units. Estimated CO₂ reduction contribution made only by newly developed powertrain units based on certified data in each country or region.