Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru have teamed up on a project to extend the life of the traditional petrol engine to provide better efficiency and be compatible with alternative fuels.
The Multipathway Workshop is a combined project by the three auto manufacturers aimed at reducing emission through alternative means to solely shifting to electric drive trains.
The companies have all been criticised for lagging in the development of electric vehicle options, a market that in Australia has become dominated by China either through the US branded, but China built, Tesla or the ambitious BYD which started life as a battery manufacturer.
Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru’s “Multipathway Workshop” aims to develop future powertrains with each company focusing on their own engines with the collaboration expected to benefit all three companies with for instance Toyota’s expertise and success in hybrid engines.
The trio will look at alternatives including biofuels, liquid hydrogen, and other synthetic fuels.
Other innovations reported by the motoring press include making more compact engines with electric drive units and better integrated batteries that could improve car design allowing for lower hoods and improved aerodynamics.
These factors could improve fuel economy and meet emissions regulations like the recently passed NVES that will come into effect in Australia in 2025.
Each brand aims to produce a “signature” engine, with Toyota working on two four-cylinder models, Mazda working on its historic rotary engine, and Subaru developing a hybrid boxer.