Toyota starts production of fifth-generation hybrid powertrain
January 10, 2023
Toyota Motor Europe has announced the start of production of its fifth generation hybrid powertrains for the new Corolla. The latest hybrid electric low-emission powertrains will be made at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland (TMMP) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing (TMUK) for the vehicles which will be manufactured at TMUK and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT).
The start of production of 5th generation hybrid engines and transmissions follows the upgrade of seven production lines supported by new investments of €77 million and €541,000 at the plants in Poland and the UK respectively.
TMMP produces hybrid electric transmissions including the MG1 and MG2 motors, integral electrical components of hybrid transmission. These products will be combined with the new 1.8 litre gasoline engine produced at TMUK to form the fifth generation hybrid electric powertrain.
The newest Toyota hybrid technology has lighter, more compact and higher-powered electric motors, which is said to increase the electric drive ratio in the hybrid system. As a result of improved engine calibrations, the vehicle has more power, and better overall performance and drivability which produces lower CO2 emissions for the 1.8 litre version. The total power of hybrid drive system with the 1.8 litre engine is 140hp, reportedly reducing the 0-100km/h acceleration time by 1.7 seconds, to 9.2 seconds.
The new hybrid electric powertrain replaces the fourth generation systems, produced at TMMP and TMUK since 2018 and 2016, respectively. During this time TME has accelerated its investments in hybrid technology, and in the last four years, the overall electrified mix in the total Toyota’s European sales has grown from 30% to 66%.
“Toyota’s affordable, low-emission hybrid electrified vehicles have an important role to play in our pan-European multi-technology strategy which seeks to help everyone lower their carbon emissions,” stated Marvin Cooke, Executive Vice President for Manufacturing, Toyota Motor Europe. “Hybrid technology now features in 70% and 85% respectively of the engines and transmissions produced at TMMP and TMUK, which is a reflection of the ever-growing customer demand for Toyota hybrid products.”
