Toyota starts production of its new 1.5L TNGA gasoline engine in Poland

Production of a new 1.5 liter petrol engine has started at Toyota’s Polish engine plant. The modern “Dynamic Force” three-cylinder is a smaller version of the 2.0-liter unit that has been manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland (TMMP) in Jelcz-Lasowice since September 2019.

The petrol engine is used in the new generation of the small car Yaris (this model is currently not yet homologated and can be ordered), whose production will soon start at the French Toyota plant in Valenciennes, as well as in the recently launched B-segment SUV Yaris Cross (this model is not yet homologated and can be ordered). Completely new production lines have been set up in the plant in Poland, which increase efficiency, improve ergonomics and increase production capacity by partially automating the processes.

40 percent efficiency – 20 percent less consumption

The 1.5L engine is a compelling example of advanced development work. With variable camshaft adjustment and Atkinson cycle, the three-cylinder achieves an efficiency of up to 40 percent and reduces consumption and CO2 emissions compared to the previous engine generation in the Yaris.

Fuel consumption is reduced by 20 percent with 15 percent more power. The engine can be integrated in conventionally powered vehicles, but also in hybrid vehicles; their share of total Toyota sales in Europe rose to 52 percent in 2019.

Safety measurements

While regular production at the two Polish Toyota locations in Jelcz and Walbrzych was suspended from mid-March to May 4 due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the preparation of the new production lines was proceeding according to plan.

To ensure the safety and health of all employees and partners who were present for the necessary adjustments to the production lines, comprehensive preventive hygiene measures were introduced. Employee safety remains a top priority for Toyota. Therefore, the correct implementation and 100% compliance with these hygiene and clearance regulations is continuously monitored.

TNGA brings advantages for vehicles and manufacturing

The new engine was developed as part of the Toyota New Global Architecture, which forms the basis of all new Toyota models. Within this platform, all individual chassis, bodies and drive trains follow common design principles. Properties of the TNGA vehicles are a lower center of gravity and a stiffer body, which ensure maximum passive safety and high driving comfort. TNGA allows the introduction of more efficient automated production lines in production. Thanks to the modular design, different units can be produced for different models – under better ergonomic conditions and with less pollution for the environment.

Polish center for modern hybrid technology

Toyota Motor Europe continues to drive electrification and continues to invest in component production for electrified drives in its Polish plants.

It was recently announced that a new e-CVT transmission will be manufactured in Walbrzych from 2021. As a result, the total investment by Toyota in both TMMP plants increases to over one billion euros and the number of jobs to almost 3,000.