Toyota is investing in its UK engine plant to support the start of European production of its fifth generation hybrid electric powertrain. Toyota Manufacturing UK’s (TMUK) factory in Deeside, North Wales, is benefiting from €541,000 (approx. £465,000) to upgrade the assembly line for the 1.8-litre petrol engine featured in the new system.
The latest development of Toyota’s hybrid technology will debut in 2023 in a new Corolla range, including Hatchback and Touring Sports models built by TMUK at Burnaston in Derbyshire. Engines from TMUK will also be used in the new Corolla Saloon, manufactured in Turkey.
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Toyota says the fifth generation powertrain uses lighter, more compact electric motors and, thanks to improved engine calibration, produces more power and improved performance and drivability. Both 1.8 and 2.0-litre powertrains will be available, the 1.8 further offering lower CO2 emissions compared to the current system. Total system output for the new 1.8 powertrain is 138bhp, which helps reduce 0-62mph acceleration by 1.7 seconds to 9.2 seconds.
Toyota is also investing €77 million (approx. £70 million) in Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland (TMMP), the European centre for production of the hybrid electric transmission, including motor-generators and electrical components.
The new generation technology replaces the fourth generation hybrid electric system produced by TMUK and TMMP since 2016 and 2018 respectively. During this time, Toyota has accelerated its investment in hybrid technology and seen the overall electrified mix in its total European new car sales increase from 30 to 66 per cent.
Marvin Cooke, Toyota Motor Europe Executive Vice President for Manufacturing, said: “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 reduce their carbon emissions. Hybrid technology now features in 85 and 70 per cent respectively of the engines and transmissions produced at TMUK and TMMP, which is a reflection of the ever-growing customer demand for Toyota hybrid products.”
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