It may have been slow to latch on to the downsized turbo trend, but Toyota is getting there. Its modern turbo engine debuted in the Lexus NX SUV last year, and is also available in the new RX. The Lexus IS compact exec, long hampered by the lack of forced induction against German rivals, is the latest recipient - the IS 200t will reach Malaysia in the third quarter of 2015.
Lexus aside, Toyota will also slowly introduce turbo to its core products. Automotive News reports that the Toyota Camry will be offered with a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine in the near future, the four-cylinder replacing the current range topping 3.5 litre V6 engine, which has 268 hp and 336 Nm.
The 2.0 turbo makes 245 hp/350 Nm in the IS 200t, so it's almost equal to the six-pot on paper and sure to boast more effortless acceleration and low down torque, from 1.5 litres less. The main reason for the adoption of turbo is of course emissions and fuel economy, and the 'Camry Turbo' should trump the V6 on both counts.
2.0 litre four-pot turbo makes 245 hp/350 Nm in the IS 200t; also available in NX and RX SUVs
But don't expect an all-turbo Camry range anytime soon. The mainstream four-cylinder engines will instead be supplied with direct-injection, the more efficient Atkinson cycle combustion and CVTs to boost efficiency. "The powertrain is still an area where we see ourselves as being able to squeeze out a significant amount of efficiency," said Andrew Coetzee, Toyota USA's group VP for product planning.
Rival Honda is a little more aggressive in the turbo game. The firm's upcoming next-gen Civic will be its first model in the USA to feature a new 1.5 litre turbocharged VTEC engine from the marque's Earth Dreams Technology umbrella. Automotive News says the turbo motor will also go into the Accord and CR-V.
What do you think of this belated turbo push by the Japanese?
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