Toyota will be growing its range of electrified models even further, Autoindustriya reports, and this has been reported to be in the works as an e:Smart Hybrid electrified drivetrain to be introduced in a range of models. One such model that has been confirmed is the Daihatsu Rocky e:Smart Hybrid that has been confirmed to go on sale in Japan in November. Selected Toyota models will also be getting the e:Smart Hybrid electrified drivetrain, and sources have told Autoindustriya that Toyota intends to use the e:Smart Hybrid system in the Vios and Avanza.
This opens up the likelihood for its
adoption in the following generations of the B-segment sedan and MPV, where a
Atkinson-cycle version (denoted in an illustration as WA-VEX) of the WA-VE 1.2
litre, three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine is expected to serve
internal combustion duty in combination with an electric drive motor of
unspecified output. The base WA-VE engine in the Rocky produces 86 PS at 6,000
rpm and 105 Nm at 4,200 rpm. By comparison, the Perodua Ativa – sister car to
the Rocky – packs a 1KR-VET 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder rated to
produce 98 PS at 6,000 rpm and 140 Nm of torque from 2,400 rpm to 4,000 rpm.
A Vios with e:Smart propulsion brings it
into the electrified B-segment sedan category, which would place it in the
ballpark of the Honda City e:HEV, which pairs a 98 PS/127 Nm 1.5 litre
Atkinson-cycle engine with an integrated motor, while a second, larger motor
rated at 108 PS and 253 Nm sends drive to the wheels. The Rocky e:Smart Hybrid
has also been reported to feature one-pedal operation to handle both
acceleration and deceleration, such as how the Nissan e-Pedal works.
Additionally, insider information received by Autoindustriya has indicated that
Toyota is also working on hybrid drive systems for larger models such as the
Hilux, Fortuner and Innova, according to the report.
