Three of Japan’s biggest motoring names have said that they’re working together on a new family of combustion engines.
Existing arrangements
The fact that they’re working together is not much of a surprise - Toyota has owned a chunk of Subaru for some time now, and the two companies have already collaborated on the GT/GR coupes and the bZ4X and Solterra electric cars. Equally, Mazda and Toyota have a long-standing technology sharing agreement, which has produced such models as the shared Toyota Yaris Hybrid and Mazda 2 Hybrid.
What might seem like more of a surprise is that the three car makers have come together to work on a new series of liquid-fuel engines at a time when many rival companies are already starting to wind down their new engine development programmes.
Smaller and more compact
Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru aren’t taking that lying down, though and this new family of engines are said to be potentially revolutionary thanks to being much smaller and more compact than current designs. The new engines are being designed specifically for use with hybrid electric power - doubtless taking note of the fact that many of the world’s car buyers seem rather more keen on hybrids than on fully-electric models at the moment - and are being optimised to run on new families of synthetic and biofuels, as well as hydrogen.
Carbon is the enemy
Stating that ‘carbon is the enemy’ the three car makers are already touting the potential benefits of these new engines, including the ability to package them more tightly under a car’s body, allowing for lower bonnet lines for improved aerodynamics. It doesn’t appear as if the technology sharing agreement will stifle creativity, either, as both Mazda and Subaru are talking up the potential of their traditional rotary and flat-layout engines to work smoothly with this new set of technology.
Carbon-neutral society
“Achieving a carbon-neutral society is a challenge that must be undertaken by all of Japan's industries and society as a whole. As we continue to refine electrification technology, we will also enhance our horizontally-opposed engines with an aim to use carbon-neutral fuels in the future. Moving forward, the three companies sharing the same aspiration will continue to advance the pursuit of sustainable excellence in Japanese car manufacturing” said Atsushi Osaki, Subaru’s CEO.
Diverse options
“In order to provide our customers with diverse options to achieve carbon neutrality, it is necessary to take on the challenge of evolving engines that are in tune with the energy environment of the future. The three companies, which share the same aspirations, will refine engine technologies through friendly competition” said Koji Sato, president and CEO of Toyota.
Contribute to society
“We will continue to offer customers exciting cars by honing internal combustion engines for the electrification era and expanding the multi-pathway possibilities for achieving carbon neutrality. Given the rotary engine’s compatibility with electrification and carbon-neutral fuels, Mazda will continue to develop the technology through co-creation and competition to ensure it can contribute broadly to society” said Masahiro Moro, president and CEO of Mazda.
In a joint statement, the three companies said, “Even as Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda compete in the product arena with unique engines and cars, the companies have a shared dedication to achieving carbon neutrality through a multi-pathway approach. Together with like-minded partners similarly skilled and passionate about engines, they will work to create the future of Japan’s auto industry.”