Toyota Kenya unveils new fuel efficient engine

Toyota Kenya has today unveiled the fuel efficient Turbo charged GD engine for its Hilux and Fortuner models.

The GD engine will boost fuel efficiency by up to 15 per cent and is part of the automakers strategy to expand its footprint within the competitive SUV and commercial vehicle market.

The new GD engine has a fuel consumption of 14kilometres per litre compared to its predecessor the KD engine whose fuel consumption was set at 12kilometres per litre.

According to Toyota Kenya Managing Director Arvinder Reel the new engine is also more compact and lighter enabling both corporate and commercial users to ferry more goods without having to sacrifice on the power of the engine.

The GD engine is up to 30 per cent smaller but has a 25 per cent improvement in maximum torque making it more powerful and hardy.

“This power has been well distributed with fitted vehicles recording an 11per cent improvement in low speed torque making it hardy for off-roading and uneven terrain drivers.” Mr. Reel said. ‘This means that GD vehicles can overcome hilly and off-road conditions without the driver having to put his foot down on the accelerator.’

In keeping with its commitment to progressively reduce its impact on the environment as set under the Sustainable Development Goals, Toyota has fitted the GD engine with urea selective catalyst reduction system which eliminates up to 99 per cent of Nitrogen Oxide emissions. According to Toyota Kenya Chairman Amb. Dennis Awori, the system is in conformity with the Euro 6 and 2010 emission standards set by the Government of Japan.

“As a company we are increasingly aware of the impact of our products on the environment and are committed to reducing our carbon footprint,’ Amb. Awori said. ‘This is especially important for the Kenyan and wider sub-Saharan Africa market which has in the past not benefited from both fuel efficient technologies and advancements in carbon emission reduction technologies.”

Other built in features of the GD engine include thermal efficiency systems that enable the vehicle to operate in conditions as low as -40°C and altitudes exceeding 4,500 meters above sea level. The efficiencies are enabled by the engine’s Thermal Swing Wall Insulation Technology which is the first of its kind within the automotive industry.