|
Coincidentally after posting I learned about the 2023 Toyota Crown in Platinum trim. It uses a turbocharged 2.4l inline 4 with two driving electric motors on the front and rear axle and probably another motor/alternator attached to a 6 speed automatic. It's rated at 264hp and 332lb-ft between 2-3000 rpm. It has 340hp combined and the EPA ratings are 29 city/32 highway, which is impressive considering you're making v8 power and torque and also since this is a full size sedan with a plush interior. I wonder if they combined the turbo with the Atkinson cycle or not.
I'd love to take one of these more powerful hybrid systems and transplant them into a sports coupe or smaller muscle car and employ ecomodding techniques for better performance when I want it and better fuel economy for the other 90% of the time on my boring commute. I like the idea of using a rear transaxle like in an MR2 Spyder since transaxles are more efficient than driveshaft layouts, but an MR2 wouldn't have enough space for a larger hybrid system or even a smaller one. I'd definitely take the 2023 Crown if I had $60,000 to throw at a car, but even if I did, there's so much more fulfillment in building something yourself.
|