Toyota unveils new flexible platform

Toyota has unveiled a new global vehicle platform that will make its cars cheaper to produce, and better engineered at the same time. It will achieve this by using a greater number of common parts between various models. Known as the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), this platform will use modules to achieve these goals. Just like Volkswagen’s MQB, Audi’s MLB, Renaults CMFA, Mercedes’ MFA and MRA, this platform will reduce the number of cars that Toyota will have to engineer from scratch.

The TNGA is a kit of lighter and more compact components that will be used for the future range of Toyota’s front and rear-wheel drive layout. It will also see duty in the new and more efficient future Toyota powertrain family.  Toyota also promises much-improved handling for future vehicles that will be based on the TNGA platform, thanks to a lower-mounted powertrain. This setup will allow TNGA-based cars to have the lowest centre of gravity compared to any of its mainstream rival.

Toyota says, as many as 50 percent of its offerings by 2020 will be based on the TNGA platform. The use of this platform will allow huge cost savings for Toyota, who currently have around 100 platforms and sub-platforms.  The vehicles based on the TNGA platform will be stiffer by 30-65 percent than today’s offerings. This will result in better ride and handling and crash safety.  

The new range of engines that will be based on the TNGA vehicles will be much more efficient thermally, according to Toyota, and will offer around 15 percent more power, mated to more efficient automatic and CVT gearboxes. They will also offer around 25 percent better fuel economy figures. Toyota’s fifth generation hybrid powertrain will also be bundled with the TNGA platform, and is expected to be 15 percent more economical than today’s version.

This new powertain family will also reduce the huge complexity of Toyota’s global engine line-up. The company estimates that, taking into account different emission regulations and the way the units are mounted in a particular platform, it has around 800 different engines.

The common parts in the TNGA architecture are almost entirely hidden from view. It covers the front end and crash structure, the actual floor structure, and the rear floor and rear crash structure. Also included are the front and rear suspension systems, the whole powertrain, the radiator position, the heating and climate control unit, and the steering system.

Inside, the seat frames are common but can be seated at five different heights, allowing the TNGA kit to cover all types of vehicles from hatchbacks to MPVs. According to Toyota, the only common visible parts in the cabin will be the steering wheel, touchscreen, gear selector and foot pedals. On the outside, the only common parts will be the door mirrors and the Toyota badge.

This, it’s claimed, will give Toyota’s operations in the various global markets the ability to completely customise vehicles to local tastes. From now, the chief engineers will use the TNGA toolkit and invest more in meeting local market demands and delivering ‘eye-catching design’ that Toyota bosses insist has to mark all future models. The first TNGA-based car will be a "front-drive, medium-size model" launched later this year in the international markets.

According to the company, investment in a TNGA model will be around 40 percent lower than a similar model from 2008. However, as much as 75 percent of this saving will be invested in what Toyota says is its new mission statement of "making ever-better cars".

Toyota says the TNGA development ultimately underpins its corporate desire to build cars that are seen as more than efficient and reliable, but deliver driving pleasure and innovative design.