Toyota plans major overhaul of engine line-up

Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp. confirmed on June 12 its plans to completely revamp its gasoline engine and transmission line-up by the end of the decade. Toyota did not give any details about its future engines and transmissions, but diesels may be a component of the future engine and transmission line-up for Toyota, sources said. The announcement was made during Toyota’s introduction of a next-generation engine valve mechanism called “Valvematic.” Toyota said the mechanism improves fuel efficiency by 5-10%, reduces CO2 emissions and boosts output by at least 10%. Valvematic adjusts the volume of air taken in by continuously controlling the intake valve lift volume and timing of valve opening and closing while conventional engines control air intake using a throttle valve. (June 12, 2007)