Toyota reveals next generation Valvematic technology
Later this year, Toyota will be launching its newest variable valve timing innovation, evolving the old-school VVT-i setup to form a new system dubbed Valvematic. This new mechanism will manipulate the intake valve lift volume, adjusting the level of sacrificial oxygen molecules to increase both performance and fuel efficiency.According to Toyota, Valvematic will increase power output by ten-percent, while at the same time increasing fuel efficiency anywhere between five- and ten-percent.
The first application of Valvematic will be employed in a new 2-liter engine, set to debut in the fall of 2007, with the rest of the Toyota lineup getting the new system by 2010.
[Source: PaulTan.org]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Danny Boy 8:32AM (6/14/2007)
so, is this like a VTEC kind of thing? Thats all i think of when people mention valve stuff.
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Drewboy 8:51AM (6/14/2007)
I had thought their VVT-i was already a VTEC ripoff.
Travis Rassat 8:54AM (6/14/2007)
From my understanding, I think so. It is also apparently similar to other technologies by Nissan and BMW. There's some discussion going on about this over at Green Car Congress:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/06/toyota_announce.html
Toyoda 8:55AM (6/14/2007)
Damon, they're not ditching vvti...
Dual vvt-i is actually integrated with valvematic.
This concept is similar to BMW's valvetronic but alot more compact and efficient also, Toyota actually removed the throttle plate all together and rely on the intake with continuous lift.
The benefits are all there, with fuel economy, improved performance, and instant throttle response. Compared to just Dual vvt-i
This is a Direct injection replacement and can use regular gas.
bfg0 9:09AM (6/14/2007)
Honda has announced its Advanced VTEC (adds variable timing to the VTEC variable lift) engine will debut in the Accord this fall (or at least it'll show up in 2.3L form...which would be the Accord). They claim 13% better fuel economy and a broader torque band.
There's nothing revolutionary here, just an evolution of the gas engine now that variable valve timing has thoroughly matured. After variable lift and timing, and direct injection, the next step will probably be camless engines. Or variable compression, which Saab demonstrated a number of years ago.
Cap2501 12:42PM (6/14/2007)
Actually BMW's valvetronic also gets rid of the throttle plate. Apparently its big limitation is it has trouble operating efficiently over 6000rpm due to stiffer valve springs though so maybe toyota's design improves on that.
I think it is a step in the right direction, I am all about freeing up the intake tract. I still want Electromechanical valves though.
rrr 8:54AM (6/14/2007)
A 10% increase from a non hybrid engine......can you say RIP FORD and GM?
This engine will probably be in the new Corolla, which will basicaly devide that segment between Civic and Corolla. I personaly LOOOOOOOVE the Civic.
And i am not saying i love Civic because i hate Toyota as many in here do, i say i LOOOOOVE Civic because i have not test driven...but have extencivly driven both cars....i think Civic is way way better. But in Fall we will get NEW Corolla
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Guenther 9:18AM (6/14/2007)
RIP? not just yet.
GM is working on stratified combustion for both gas and diesel engines. It could yield as much as a 20% improvement in fuel efficiency and have a reasonable unit cost.
Toyoda 9:07AM (6/14/2007)
A 10% increase from a non hybrid engine......can you say RIP FORD and GM?
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^^^^
MAN,
Most of u guys r such nOOOBS!!!
Toyota probably makes the most fuel efficient and clean gas engines out there. Dun even have to give examples jus compare the fuel economy of Toyotas and others.
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david damn 9:34AM (6/14/2007)
Hey Honda and Toyota fans. Ford has had variable valve timing in their "Modular V8" 5.4 and 4.6 (F-150 and Mustang) for years. Thus the name "Modular".
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Lucas 9:46AM (6/14/2007)
Lots of companies now use variable valve timing. But Ford, nor any domestic company that I know of, doesn't vary lift. That requires special camshafts, or electronically actuated valves(coming soon).
MikeW 11:29AM (6/14/2007)
What? Modular means same bore, same spacing. The 4.6 is a square design. The 5.4 is a very undersquare design. 90.2 x 105.9mm
It does not have variable valve timing. It has variable camshaft timing. There is a gain from advancing the timing, but there is a loss to starting the exhaust earlier, but overall there is improved mid-range. Same with top end, slight gain from retarding the timing, but also a loss from not getting the exhaust going.
If it had coaxial camshafts...then it could have variable valve timing.
http://www.mechadyne-int.com/vva-products/concentric-camshafts
James Smith 5:49PM (7/24/2007)
You guys have it all wrong. It is called "modular" because variation of the same engine appear in many different vehicles. Mustang, Crown Vic, F-150, Expedition, Explorer, Sport Trac. Ever heard on modular desks in offices? Same idea.
Peter 9:40AM (6/14/2007)
Win-Win. This is next gen vtec type thing that BMW and Nissan now has. I was just reading about it in the Nissan G37. More low end torque, high end HP and better fuel economy.
Win-Win-Win.
Toyota are already very good on fuel econ, so I hope they put this engine in the new Matrix instead of the rumored 2.4L, so it can keep it's great fuel econ.
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Lucas 9:41AM (6/14/2007)
This isn't that special. VVT-I just has variable valve timing. This tech just adds variable lift to the variable valve timing. Honda's VTEC has adjusted lift since it came out over a decade ago in *every* application it has been on. Up until now, Toyota has only made one engine that varied lift, the Celica GT-S's 1.8 liter VVTL-I engine... but that engine was made in a partnership by Yamaha. Good to see they are finally jumping on the bandwagon, but they are running a bit late...
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Toyoda 9:56AM (6/14/2007)
Oh God!!!
Why the hell do u think Honda is introducing Advanced vtec for (A-VTEC)?
It's the same as Toyota's Valvematic. i-vtec can only lift at a particular stage above specific rpms.
This is continuous (stepless) lift!!! There's actually a electric motor that adjust the lift infinitely.
U can have lift at any particular rpm!!!
MikeW 10:00AM (6/14/2007)
No VTEC is a cam lobe profile switching system. It was meant to maintain 'honda durability' while pushing the performance envelope. Imagine when you shut off an engine, there is a probability that a valve will be stuck at maximum lift. Would it be better for long term spring durability if the intake valves were stuck at 12mm or 8mm?
Helically splined pulleys [ChapStick, but with a lower angle] are cam phasing.
They started off as simple two position devices (the McLaren F1 has this on its intake camshafts, Nissan had before that) that allowed for more mid-range power with the same cam profiles, by advancing the timing in order to prevent cylinder charge from exiting.
Then helically splined pulleys became continuous (within a angularity range, 40 degrees intake 25 exhaust on BMW's M54, S54 M3 60-i 46-e)
Now a cheaper/easier method is the vane phaser.(the 2000 MY corolla received it) It looks like a +, and oil is routed to either side of the 'leg' to advance/retard timing.
Don't forget Porsche's chain tensioner system.
http://www.echoscaninc.com/product.cgi?code=TW9kZWwgMjM1
and no, Toyota is not 'ditching the old-school VVT-i ' They are keeping the intake & exhaust phasers (take a look at the picture) and upgrading the intake with this.
But BMW's valvetronic still allows for independent lift scaling curves per valve. They deviate (to create swirl) and then return to symmetry at higher lift values. Can this one do the same?
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Toyoda 10:12AM (6/14/2007)
But BMW's valvetronic still allows for independent lift scaling curves per valve. They deviate (to create swirl) and then return to symmetry at higher lift values. Can this one do the same?
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Actually, Valvematic has that too.
There's a sliding pin system in the actuated swing cam so one valve can move on its own and the other closed to create that swerve effect.
Its here in Toyota's patent:
http://paultan.org/valvematic.htm
Check fig. 3 for illustration.
MikeW 11:36AM (6/14/2007)
Thanks. But I was going by the cutaway picture. It looks like a 2.0.
The patent is a shotgun. Toyota patented more than what they are going to use (probably) to prevent disclosure of future products.
Only if the pin is short enough, so the rocker is idled. Doesn't look it, so that valve will be in fixed cam mode, or scaling mode.
Peter 9:43AM (6/14/2007)
@David ford fan.
This is full variable timing and LIFT. Only BMW and Nissan have demonstrated this so far. Nissan and now Toyota even do away with throttle and control the engine via valve control. Not sure if BMW does this trick.
So yes Ford has old generation stuff, but this is full realization of variable valving technology.
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