Toyota’s new 1.5L petrol engine is a whopping 12% more fuel efficient!



Toyota is set to debut an all-new 1.5-litre petrol engine which will power the next Yaris supermini that will be sold in Europe. The new engine is expected to meet both the Euro 6c and the RDE (Real Driving Emission) homologation standards.

The four-cylinder mill is part of the ESTEC (Economy with Superior Thermal Efficient Combustion) family, replacing the outgoing 1.3-litre petrol engine. Its output of 111 hp and 136 Nm isn’t impressive by any margin, but it is about 0.8 seconds quicker to the 100km/h mark. But that’s not its USP.

Just like their critically acclaimed hybrid engines, the new 1.5-litre motor achieves a class-leading thermal efficiency value of 38.5 percent. Compression ratio is also rather high – 13.5:1 – and was made possible thanks to a new cooled exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR). Together with a new variable inlet valve timing system (VVT-iE), the engine is capable of alternating between Otto and Atkinson cycles, which greatly improve fuel efficiency, even as much as 12 percent!

Another new feature is the water-cooled exhaust manifold, with the Yaris being the first Toyota car to receive it. This brings down exhaust gas temperature, allowing the engine to run with a better fuel mixture. This also contributes to fuel efficiency and emissions.