For the longest time, Japanese carmaker Toyota has been known to exercise caution towards electrifying its model lineup. While many car brands are coming up with tons of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV-focused technologies, Toyota is dodging the topic or, at best, prioritizing hybridization for now to achieve carbon neutrality.
There are many reasons why it’s holding on to the internal combustion engine (ICE) technology for as long as it can. To us, one big reason could be Toyota’s Chairman, Akio Toyota’s outlook towards EVs. Toyoda is a well-known critic of how EV technology is shaping up today. He’s also an accomplished racing driver, piloting ICE-engined racecars over the years, solidifying his appreciation of traditional fuel-powered engines. But the reality is that the automotive world is rapidly transitioning to full-electric.
As Toyota steers its way to the foreseeable future, the company is doing its best to keep the ICE alive. This is where the concept of an ICE that’s meant to power everything is put under the spotlight, according to Automotive News (AN).
Recently, AN had the chance to interview Toyota Europe’s Vice President for Product and Marketing, Andrea Carlucci. He shared that Toyota is now developing an engine that’s universally compatible with its range of vehicles. He went on further by saying, “We are trying to optimize the new engine for any type of application, whether it’s electric, hybrid, or hydrogen.”
This implies that the new engine won’t be the gas guzzler of yesteryears. Instead, it will be engineered to be versatile, fuel-efficient, and capable of running on a multitude of sources such as gasoline, biofuels, synthetic fuels, and hydrogen, among others. On top of this, Carlucci’s statement points to the new engine as a “one for all” machine.
This means it will be designed to be slotted into multiple platforms such as traditional ICE vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), hybrid EVs, and extended range vehicles (EREV).
It can be recalled that an EV Toyota Hilux concept was previewed in Thailand in 2024. Going by this, it’s also possible that the new engine could power full EVs, acting as a generator or range extender, if Toyota decides to finally invest in making them someday.
Finally, as a brand with strong roots in motorsports, it’s highly likely that Toyota could tweak the same “one for all” engine to fit into its future racecars or Gazoo Racing (GR) high-performance machines like the GR86, GR Supra, GR Yaris, and GR Corolla.
So, while Toyota is looking to the future where EVs are the new normal, its solid grip on the internal combustion engine will carry on, in one way or another. For how long? Your guess is as good as ours.
