There are those who believe that
Toyota, within the next 20 years, will overtake the big American Two and
become the worlds largest car producer. Then there are those who are still
yet to be convinced whether the Japanese number 1 can ever take the mantle
of being number one OEM.
The new D-4D 2.0 litre Corolla diesel and bellow: the finer details of the multi-mode transmission that features in the Yaris |
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However, one thing can be guaranteed with regards to the Japanese
carmaker – the robot-like push to ensure every segment in every
market worldwide is catered for, with each Toyota range being offered
in a variety of models, engines and specifications, will long continue.
The development of a new 2.0 litre D-4D engine that is built at Toyota’s
Deeside factory in North Wales is proof (if ever one really needed such
evidence) of the Japanese carmaker’s mechanical expansion in offering
as many models, engines and specs in all markets. The state-of-the-art
diesel engine will be available in the Corolla range and lines-up alongside
the 90 ps (66 kW) D-4D engine, with the older 111 ps (82 kW) diesel unit
being deleted.
The 2.0 litre D-4D features a variable nozzle turbocharger that boosts
the power and torque and aids low fuel consumption and engine emissions.
Consequently, the new diesel engine channels a power output of 116 ps
(85 kW) into the Corolla that is achieved at 3,600 rpm, with the torque
measuring 280 Nm (207 lb ft) from 2,200 rpm allowing the Corolla to reach
a top speed of 187 km/h (116 mph) and taking 10.6 seconds to accelerate
to 100 km/h.
Like all recently developed Toyota diesel technology, the new engine is
Euro 4 compliant with the CO2 emissions rating at 149 g/km and offering
5.6 l/100 km (50.4 mpg) on combined cycle. It benefits from second-generation
high-pressure common rail diesel technology, and therefore has the capability
to produce an injection pressure of 160 Mpa irrespective of engine speed.
The refined injection system of the new diesel unit includes a chamber
shape with enhanced swirl characteristics and an improved fuel injector
spray pattern that results in a quieter combustion and lower levels of
fuel efficiency and emissions.
However, it is not just the Corolla range that has been expanded upon
as the Yaris has also benefited from the calculated push forward being
masterminded from Tokyo. With this model fast approaching middle age,
Toyota decided that now was the time to act and attempt to inject some
fresh appeal and zest back into its supermini. Yet unlike a host of other
carmakers, Toyota decided to focus less on cosmetic changes and more on
engineering modifications in a bid to prevent the Yaris from going stale
in its older age.
A new multi-mode transmission, which is tight, smooth and works incredibly
well, has been applied to the 1.0 litre VVT-i petrol engine and offers
the driver the choice of a clutchless sequential gear shift or fully automatic
operation.
The multi-mode transmission is the development of a standard manual gearbox,
with gearchanges actuated by electric step motors and an automatic clutch.
It is linked to an electronic drive-by-wire throttle and dedicated sensors,
ECU and shift lever.
The transmission offers two driving modes: automatic (E) mode and manual
(M) mode. The former provides the usual ease and convenience of an automatic
transmission, but it delivers better fuel economy than a conventional
manual gearbox as the system’s shifting map selects the optimum
gear at all times and takes into account driving conditions, throttle
opening and vehicle speed. In the latter mode, the driver has the option
for more dynamic driving and the use of a sequential manual gearshift.
Toyota has also taken the opportunity of this mid-life update on the Yaris
to introduce a more powerful, yet equally economical, 1.3 litre VVT-i
petrol unit that is derived from the current 1.0 litre block.
It not only complies with forthcoming Euro 4 regulations, the new engine
is also more powerful than the unit it replaces, with the 87 ps (64 kW)
being achieved at 6,000 rpm and 122 Nm (90 lb ft) of torque being delivered
at a lesser 4,200 rpm. With the new 1.3 VVT-i under the bonnet, the Yaris
hits a top speed of 175 km/h (109 mph), returns 5.6 l/100 km (50.4 mpg)
on combined cycle and has a CO2 emissions rating of 133 g/km.
The entire Yaris petrol line-up, which also includes the 1.5 litre VVT-i
unit, has been upgraded to meet Euro 4 requirements, with the petrol units
now featuring new piston designs, revised exhaust manifolds, a catalytic
converter and an adaptation of the engine ECU.
However, it is not just the Corolla range that has been expanded upon
as the Yaris has also benefited from the calculated push forward being
masterminded from Tokyo. With the supermini fast approaching middle age,
Toyota has applied a new multi-mode transmission, which is tight and smooth,
thus offering drivers the choice of a clutchless sequential gearshift
or fully automatic operation.
Toyota has also taken the opportunity of this mid-life update on the Yaris
to introduce a more powerful, yet equally economical, 1.3 litre VVT-i
petrol unit that is derived from the current 1.0 litre block.
It not only complies with forthcoming Euro IV regulations, the new engine
is also more powerful than the unit it replaces, with the 87 ps (64 kW)
being achieved at 6,000 rpm and 122 Nm (90 lb ft) of torque being delivered
at a lesser 4,200 rpm. With the new 1.3 VVT-i under the bonnet, the Yaris
hits a top speed of 175 km/h (109 mph), returns 5.6 l/100 km (50.4 mpg)
on combined cycle and has a CO2 emissions rating of 133 g/km.
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