Toyota unveils new TNGA platform

ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
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is revealing a new global platform which the brand expects will be used in 50% of its models by 2020. The new TNGA platform is expected to "greatly improve vehicle performance and product appeal" and also cut manufacturing costs and complexity of its current global range.

Similar to what happened with VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
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and its modular MQB platform, Toyota is developing the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) set to be used on a new generation of vehicles. It will be able to drive in front and rear-wheel drive and will be able to receive the new and more efficient family of engines.

Currently Toyota has around 100 platforms and sub-platforms, so being able to reduce this number will help the brand cut development costs as well as the complexity inside the brand. According to Toyota by 2020 50% of Toyota's production will be applying the new TNGA platform.

Thanks to the new TNGA, Toyota is announcing improvements in terms of handling, as the powertrains will be lowerly mounted. The Japanese brand states that the TNGA cars will have the lowest centre of gravity of any mainstream rival.

Toyota also is pointing out that the new platform will be 30-65% stiffer tnhan the the ones used in current models. Besides improving ride and handling this will also help to imrove results in crash safety tests.

Together with the new platform Toyota is also promising a new family of engines which will be offering offering around 15% more power and offer as much as 25% better fuel economy. These will be coupled with more efficient automatic and CVT transmissions.

Toyota is also preparing a "fifth generation" hybrid powertrain, which acording to the brand will be
15% more economical than the current hybrid models available on the brand's range. Like it happens with the platforms, the new engine family will also help reduce the complexity of Toyota’s global engine line-up. Currently the brand estimates to have around 800 different engines, counting different emissions regulations and way the units are mounted in a particular platform.

Later this year Toyota will be unveiling the first model based on the TNGA platform. According to the Japanese brand it will be a "front-drive, medium-size model".