Toyota Takes a Page From... Stellantis?
The company that introduced hybrid technology to the mass market—and has stuck with that tech while others over-invested in EVs—has a new portfolio of powertrain tech intended to keep them ahead of the pack.
First up is a brand new compact modular 1.5-liter L4, either naturally aspirated or turbocharged, to replace the current 1.5-liter L3 and 1.8-liter L4. It will work with new lighter and smaller electric motors to help generate a 15% improvement in fuel economy. And the lower profile means both sleeker styling and better aero performance.
More significant is the new "multi-pathway" platform. It's intended to apparently replace the current generation of TNGA (Toyota New Generation Architecture) ICE and EV platforms with one hardware set to accommodate ICE, hybrid, and EV powertrains.
Sound familiar? While GM was developing Ultium tech and EV skateboards, VW was developing MEB and PPE, and Ford started (but cancelled) an all-new bespoke EV truck platform, Stellantis took a different route. They announced three BFI architectures and one BOF architecture, all designed to be multi-energy (e.g., ICE, hybrid, and EV capable) and thus theoretically reduce risk as consumer tastes changed. Unfortunately, things didn't go quite as planned (with Stellantis writing off $26.5 billion for a variety of reasons, including overestimating EV demand), but let's see if Toyota has a better handle on how to execute this with maximum flexibility and still meet consumers' needs.
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