May 28, 2024

Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda Commit to New Engine Development for the Electrification Era, Toward Carbon Neutrality

Subaru Corporation
Toyota Motor Corporation
Mazda Motor Corporation

Subaru Corporation (Subaru), Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota), and Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) have each committed to developing new engines tailored to electrification and the pursuit of carbon neutrality. With these engines, each of the three companies will aim to optimize integration with motors, batteries, and other electric drive units. While transforming vehicle packaging with more compact engines, these efforts will also decarbonize ICEs by making them compatible with various carbon-neutral (CN) fuels^*1.

Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda have always been driven by a deep understanding of their customers' diverse lifestyles. This understanding has led the three companies to develop signature engines^*2 that not only represent their respective brands but also cater to their customers' unique needs and preferences.

In pursuing decarbonization, all three companies have focused on carbon as the enemy and sought to expand options by acting with passion and purpose. This mindset has driven efforts to ensure a future for the supply chains and jobs that underpin engines. Under the extreme conditions of racing, the companies have worked to broaden powertrain and fuel options by competing with vehicles running on liquid hydrogen and CN fuels.

This process has clarified the role that future engines will play in achieving carbon neutrality. With the next generation of engines, the three companies will seek to not only improve standalone engine performance but also optimize their integration with electric drive units, harnessing the advantages of each.

While being highly efficient and powerful, the new engines will also revolutionize vehicle packaging by being more compact than existing models. Smaller engines will allow for even lower hoods, improving design possibilities and aerodynamic performance while contributing to better fuel efficiency. The development will also emphasize compliance with increasingly strict emissions regulations.

At the same time, the new engines will be made carbon neutral by shifting away from fossil fuels and offering compatibility with various alternatives, including e-fuel (synthetic fuel), biofuels, and liquid hydrogen. In doing so, these engines will contribute to the broader adoption of CN fuels.

Upon this announcement, the CEOs of the three companies made the following comments:
"Achieving a carbon-neutral society is a challenge that must be undertaken by all of Japan's industries and society as a whole. As we continue to refine electrification technology, we will also enhance our horizontally-opposed engines with an aim to use carbon-neutral fuels in the future. Moving forward, the three companies sharing the same aspiration will continue to advance the pursuit of sustainable excellence in Japanese car manufacturing."
(Atsushi Osaki, Representative Director, President and CEO, Subaru Corporation)

"In order to provide our customers with diverse options to achieve carbon neutrality, it is necessary to take on the challenge of evolving engines that are in tune with the energy environment of the future. The three companies, which share the same aspirations, will refine engine technologies through friendly competition."
(Koji Sato, President, Member of the Board of Directors and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation)

"We will continue to offer customers exciting cars by honing internal combustion engines for the electrification era and expanding the multi-pathway possibilities for achieving carbon neutrality. Given the rotary engine's compatibility with electrification and carbon-neutral fuels, Mazda will continue to develop the technology through co-creation and competition to ensure it can contribute broadly to society."
(Masahiro Moro, Representative Director, President and CEO, Mazda Motor Corporation)

Even as Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda compete in the product arena with unique engines and cars, the companies have a shared dedication to achieving carbon neutrality through a multi-pathway approach. Together with like-minded partners similarly skilled and passionate about engines, they will work to create the future of Japan's auto industry.

*1	Fuels with net zero CO2 emissions into the atmosphere across their lifecycle, from manufacture to use. These include e-fuel, made from hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and biofuels derived from biomass (plants, etc.).
*2	Each company's iconic engines Subaru Horizontally-opposed engine. Pistons move horizontally, resulting in a low-profile engine with less vibration & lower center of gravity. Toyota Inline-four engine. Achieves both high output and high thermal efficiency. Mazda Rotary engine. Compact and lightweight, yet powerful. Currently used for generators.

Fuels with net zero CO2 emissions into the atmosphere across their lifecycle, from manufacture to use. These include e-fuel, made from hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and biofuels derived from biomass (plants, etc.).

Each company's iconic engines

Subaru: Horizontally-opposed engine. Pistons move horizontally, resulting in a low-profile engine with less vibration & lower center of gravity.

Toyota: Inline-four engine. Achieves both high output and high thermal efficiency.

Mazda: Rotary engine. Compact and lightweight, yet powerful. Currently used for generators.

Subaru website: https://www.subaru.co.jp/news-en/2024_05_28_112205

Mazda website: https://newsroom.mazda.com/en/publicity/release/2024/202405/240528a.html

"Achieving zero, and adding new value beyond it"

As part of efforts to pass our beautiful "Home Planet" to the next generation, Toyota has identified and is helping to solve issues faced by individuals and overall society, which Toyota calls "Achieving Zero," hoping to help reduce the negative impacts caused by these issues to people and the environment to zero. Additionally, Toyota is also looking "Beyond Zero" to create and provide greater value by continuing to diligently seek ways to improve lives and society for the future.

About Beyond Zero: https://global.toyota/en/mobility/beyond-zero/

Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move.

SDGs Initiatives: https://global.toyota/en/sustainability/sdgs/

SDGs goals that this project makes particular contribution to

DOWNLOADS (VIDEOS)

: ENGINE ReBORN

DOWNLOADS (IMAGES)

View with caption

Venue Images

(Left to right)
[SUBARU CORPORATION]
Atsushi Osaki, Representative Director, President and CEO;
Tetsuo Fujinuki, Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CTO;
[Toyota Motor Corporation]
Koji Sato, President, Member of the Board of Directors and CEO;
Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President and CTO;
[MAZDA Corporation]
Masahiro Moro, Representative Director, President and CEO;
Ichiro Hirose, Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CTO
(Left to right)
Atsushi Osaki, Representative Director, President and CEO, SUBARU CORPORATION;
Koji Sato, President, Member of the Board of Directors and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation;
Masahiro Moro, Representative Director, President and CEO, MAZDA Motor Corporation
(Left to right)
Atsushi Osaki, Representative Director, President and CEO, SUBARU CORPORATION;
Koji Sato, President, Member of the Board of Directors and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation;
Masahiro Moro, Representative Director, President and CEO, MAZDA Motor Corporation
(Left to right)
[SUBARU CORPORATION]
Atsushi Osaki, Representative Director, President and CEO;
Tetsuo Fujinuki, Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CTO;
[Toyota Motor Corporation]
Koji Sato, President, Member of the Board of Directors and CEO;
Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President and CTO;
[MAZDA Corporation]
Masahiro Moro, Representative Director, President and CEO;
Ichiro Hirose, Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CTO
Koji Sato, President, Member of the Board of Directors and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation
Koji Sato, President, Member of the Board of Directors and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation
Koji Sato, President, Member of the Board of Directors and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation
Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President and CTO, Toyota Motor Corporation
Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President and CTO, Toyota Motor Corporation
Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President and CTO, Toyota Motor Corporation
Atsushi Osaki, Representative Director, President and CEO, SUBARU CORPORATION
Atsushi Osaki, Representative Director, President and CEO, SUBARU CORPORATION
Tetsuo Fujinuki, Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CTO, SUBARU CORPORATION
Tetsuo Fujinuki, Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CTO, SUBARU CORPORATION
Masahiro Moro, Representative Director, President and CEO, MAZDA Motor Corporation
Masahiro Moro, Representative Director, President and CEO, MAZDA Motor Corporation
(Left to right)
Atsushi Osaki, Representative Director, President and CEO, SUBARU CORPORATION;
Masahiro Moro, Representative Director, President and CEO, MAZDA Motor Corporation;
Koji Sato, President, Member of the Board of Directors and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation
Ichiro Hirose, Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CTO, MAZDA Corporation

Technical Exhibit Images

The next-generation hybrid system by SUBARU CORPORATION
Subaru Crosstrek equipped with the next-generation hybrid system (prototype) by SUBARU CORPORATION
1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
Prototype vehicle with 1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
ROTARY-EV SYSTEM CONCEPT (1 ROTOR) by MAZDA Corporation
ROTARY-EV SYSTEM CONCEPT (2 ROTOR) by MAZDA Corporation
The next-generation hybrid system by SUBARU CORPORATION
Subaru Crosstrek equipped with the next-generation hybrid system (prototype) by SUBARU CORPORATION
Subaru Crosstrek equipped with the next-generation hybrid system (prototype) by SUBARU CORPORATION
Subaru Crosstrek equipped with the next-generation hybrid system (prototype) by SUBARU CORPORATION
1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
Prototype vehicle with 1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
Prototype vehicle with 1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
Prototype vehicle with 1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
Prototype vehicle with 1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
Prototype vehicle with 1.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine in development by Toyota Motor Corporation
ROTARY-EV SYSTEM CONCEPT (1 ROTOR) by MAZDA Corporation
ROTARY-EV SYSTEM CONCEPT (1 ROTOR) by MAZDA Corporation
ROTARY-EV SYSTEM CONCEPT (2 ROTOR) by MAZDA Corporation
ROTARY-EV SYSTEM CONCEPT (2 ROTOR) by MAZDA Corporation