The ICE age isn't over! Despite electric car popularity Toyota, Mazda and Subaru unite in development of new-generation internal-combustion engines "tailored to electrification and the pursuit of carbon neutrality"

It seems reports of the internal-combustion engine’s (ICE) death have been greatly exaggerated with confirmation overnight that Toyota, Mazda and Subaru have jointly committed to development of new-generation ICE technology “tailored to electrification and the pursuit of carbon neutrality”.

Under the banner of a ‘Multipathway Workshop’ the CEOs, as well senior technology and engineering executives from each company, detailed their plans to extend the automotive ICE age via optimisation of engine design “to better integrate with motors, batteries, and other electric drive units”.

More compact and efficient, the new powerplants have the potential to transform vehicle packaging while increasing compatibility with various carbon-neutral (CN) fuels like synthetic e-fuel, biofuels and liquid hydrogen.

The new development strategy is built around smaller engines allowing for “even lower hoods, improving design possibilities and aerodynamic performance while contributing to better fuel efficiency”.

Mazda’s Chief Technology Officer Ichiro Hirose went on the record at last year’s Japan Mobility Show, confirming the company is developing two small rotary engines tuned to run on CN fuels and pair with electrified hybrid set-ups, while Subaru says it will further enhance its signature horizontally-opposed engines.

Speaking at the workshop event, Toyota Motor Corporation President and CEO Koji Sato said, “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.”

Mazda two-rotor rotary EV concept

With prototypes of the new powerplants on display, Sato-san was joined by fellow President and CEOs, Atsushi Osaki (Subaru Corporation) and Masahiro Moro (Mazda Motor Corporation) in issuing a joint statement.

"Achieving a carbon-neutral society is a challenge that must be undertaken by all of Japan's industries and society as a whole. 

“Moving forward, the three companies sharing the same aspiration will continue to advance the pursuit of sustainable excellence in Japanese car manufacturing," the statement said. 

The ‘driving force’ behind this commitment to internal combustion propulsion is former Toyota CEO, current Chairman and noted petrolhead, Akio Toyoda (Toyota owns minority stakes in Mazda and Subaru).

Brands including Ford, GM, Mercedes-Benz, JLR and Volkswagen have either scaled back or delayed their electric vehicle plans in the face of consumer reaction to relatively high product pricing and a lag in provision of adequate charging infrastructure.

Which places Toyota in a strong position as it benefits from a consciously diversified product approach with pure combustion, hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric offerings contributing to the company’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

But it’s the unique feel, sound and smell of a combustion engine that appears to ‘fire’ Toyoda-san’s passion, the ‘master driver’, again competing under his racing pseudonym ‘Morizo’ at last weekend’s Fuji Super TEC 24 Hour Race for GT, touring and production sports cars in a liquid hydrogen fuelled Toyota Corolla.

Toyota also displayed a new, more conventional compact 1.5-litre four-cylinder ICE engine at the workshop event in naturally aspirated and turbo form, the former positioned as an “eco option” and the latter matching outputs delivered by a 2.5-litre atmo engine.

Speaking to Automotive News, Toyota’s CTO (Technology and Products) Yuki Nakajima said the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four is about 10 per cent smaller in volume and 10 percent lower in height than Toyota’s current engine, while the turbo is 20 per cent smaller in volume and 15 per cent lower in height than its current counterparts.

Toyota CTO Hiroki Nakajima

At the same time Nakajima-san references a 2.0-litre turbo four in development, already delivering higher outputs and better fuel economy than 2.4- and 2.0-litre turbos in existing Toyota models with potential sports car applications (hello, new Celica) in its future.