Featured Toyota unveils new TNGA-based engines and transmissions and improved hybrid systems

Excellent post; thank you. Here is the press release video and high resolution images from Japan.

Toyota Develops TNGA-based Powertrain Units
for Smooth, Responsive, "As Desired" Driving | TOYOTA Global Newsroom

 

That's exactly what the multi-stage THS-II is.

One thing that hasn't been made clear yet is, will it keep faking gears in drive? Because that's silly, and hurts performance and efficiency...

That said, this is interesting, in 4th gear, it can actually kill the engine... when on the vehicle speed limiter, for those times you're bombing down an unrestricted section of Autobahn at 250 km/h (155 mph), and you want your engine off on a downhill:



41% thermal efficiency out of the new 2.5 liter is pretty incredible, and with similar performance to the 2AR-FSE used in the RWD 300h cars overseas that was at 38.5% thermal efficiency. (Also, 151 kW - 202 hp - out of the non-hybrid 2.5 liter, and 40% efficiency? And we're talking about a base Camry motor here, really.)

Also interesting is the fact that Toyota's moving to a Mazda-style scalable architecture for all engines, but adding the ability to scale cylinder count, too. The new 2.5 liter is the first of that family, but it looks like it'll replace all of the main engine families Toyota's using, I think - NR (1.2-1.5 4-cylinders, which hasn't been around for long - it itself is the replacement for the NZ engine that our current Yaris and Prius c use), ZR (1.6-2.0 4-cylinders), AR (2.0-2.7 4-cylinders), GR (2.5-4.0 V6s), and UR (4.6-5.7 V8s). Pick your cylinder size, pick your cylinder count, get an engine out of that, then optimize that variant.

That said, it's clear that TNGA supports the legacy engines, too - the Gen 4 obviously is still using a 2ZR-FXE variant, the LC 500 uses a 2UR-GSE, the LC 500h uses a 2GR-FXS I believe, the C-HR uses your choice of 2ZR-FXE, 8NR-FTS, or 3ZR-FAE... And, there's some applications of TNGA components on legacy platforms, apparently - seems the Lexus RX and Highlander are using the new TNGA 8-speed automatic.

 

Would be great to see the 8th Gen Camry Hybrid get 47+mpg. I fear that I'll be leaving the Prius for the Camry Hybrid due to uncomfortable Gen 4 Prius seats for my wife.

 

Don't like the styling but rest of the narative sounds good. don't love the styling of current car either, but ... it is the best seller of segment. This thing is going to hurt prii sales, but that is probably a good thing.

Atkinson valve timing and hsd naturally keeps the engine in a low torque low rpm efficient place when at a steady velocity. Giving more electrical power (possibly more powerfull mg2) is a cheap way to add to acceleration, and ford seems to do this on their fusion, which is slower 0-60 but seems more connected when accelerating at speed.

One problem with hsd and all other cvt type implementations is disconnected feel. My guess is with the di in the new engine the sweet spot is pretty large for efficiency. Giving virtual gears should provide some with better driving feel with low impact to efficiency.

Lower CG and wider stance should also improve handling. The current camry hybrid feels very fast 0-30, but hadles like a limp noodle. Changes won't make it drive like a bmw, but should definitely improve its character.