Toyota Diversifying Out of Hybrids Starting Next Year

ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
4570 photos
10 videos
is the one automotive company most associated with hybrid cars. Its hybrids rank among the most efficient and easy to drive in the world, but in the last decade as its built a reputation as the world leader in hybrids, other engines have been partially ignored. The brand will launch new engines and new transmissions starting in 2013. 

The first new engine for the lineup will be a 2.5-liter direct injected engine that will be used first in hybrids in 2013. This engine was used in the Lexus LF-CC concept at the Paris Motor Show. Toyota has not said how much power the engine produces yet. It runs on the Atkinson cycle, which tends to have a lower specific output than Otto cycle engines. It will be Toyota's first direct injected engine to be used in one of its hybrids. 

"This is the beginning of gasoline direct injection for the four-cylinder engines. Smaller engines will be following this engine. As a trend, this is right. It will be standard,” said Takashi Shimura, general manager for engine development at Toyota.

The next engine will be a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that will come in 2014. Far less is known about this powerplant right now. It will be Toyota's first turbocharged petrol engine since the SupraToyota Supra Twin-TurboJapan, 1993 > 19964 photos
and MR2Toyota MR2 TurboJapan, 1997 > present. 

Toyota is also working on two new transmission families. Small and midsize cars will get a new family of CVTs. Larger cars will get new six- and eight-speed automatic transmissions. Toyota's hybrids already use CVTs, and the plan is to move them into non-hybrid models as well. Its larger LexusLexusJapan, 1989 > present26 models
1484 photos
6 videos
models already have eight-speed automatics, but it plans to bring them to more models. 

Toyota is not abandoning hybrids by any stretch. With the exception of turbocharged petrol engines, none of these things are exactly new to Toyota. They are widening these technologies into new areas for them, which will probably help to cut costs. 

Source: Automotive News