Toyota Unveils New “Dynamic Force” Engine Family Coming to the U.S.
The Toyota Dynamic Force engine further refines internal combustion as we know it.
Toyota has developed it’s new family of engines, named Dynamic Force, for the brand’s Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), which will underpin many of its upcoming vehicles. As the name implies, this next generation of Toyota vehicles and powertrains have been developed with global sales in mind. What does this mean for us? The U.S. will finally be getting some of the goods that Toyota has been holding out on us.
TNGA applies to many vehicles, but to simplify, there will be different platforms that fit different types of vehicles. The compact front-wheel and all-wheel drive platform dubbed GA-C (Global Architecture-Compact) covers the Prius, C-HR, Corolla (and international Auris model) and RAV4. A larger front-, and all-wheel drive platform, GA-K, underpin the new Camry and Avalon. A luxury-vehicle platform, designed for rear-, and all-wheel drive, GA-L, is what the new Lexus LC and LS models ride on. A fourth, unnamed platform will also spring from the TNGA DNA.
But back to the engines. The Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine is a modular design, with 2.0 and 2.5-liter variants confirmed. Toyota started with the 2.5-liter engine, which, likely, will debut in the mid-cycle refresh of the XV70 Camry. The 2.0-liter variant wasn’t directly announced by Toyota USA, instead, our source is a report made by Car and Driver. While we knew much of what C&D reported, news that a 2.0-liter Dynamic Force coming to the U.S. was a bit of a surprise.
Here’s why this is a big deal. The 2.0-liter engine, codenamed M20A-FKS, will appear in the new 2019 Toyota Corolla. Why is this a big deal? For 2019, the United States is getting a Corolla hatchback, and it is striking. Here is the link to our full-coverage of the 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback, it’s worth the read.
How the M20A-FKS works
However, no one, Toyota-included, is reporting the power figures of the M20A-FKS. What a fun little secret. However, Toyota of Japan inadvertently let those details slip. Of course, their briefing was intended for the Japanese Domestic and International Markets, but it gives us plenty to work with.
First off, the Dynamic Force engines apply old school engineering at it’s finest. The name ‘Dynamic Force’ refers to what’s going in on the combustion chamber. These highly-efficient, ultra-low friction engines are employing some classic hotrodder tricks to improve engine response, power and efficiency.
From a standard Toyota four-cylinder engine, the valve angle was widened from 31° to 41°. The result of this is a smaller cylinder bore, and a longer stroke to make the same displacement. That long stroke means big torque figures low in the powerband. This speeds up off-the-line acceleration and improves low-RPM cruising efficiency. Additionally, that revision of the valve angle allows for a more efficient intake valve design, reducing friction and improving air flow into the cylinders. From there, because the valve location has been optimized, the intake port can be designed in a near straight line into the cylinder. The M20A-FKS also features Toyota’s D4S direct-, and port fuel injection setup, which has been revised to improve fuel coverage in the cylinder. This means less wasted fuel and more power from each compression stroke.
Move on to the next page to unravel Toyota’s coded mystery engine.
