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Hesitant to post about this speculative engine. In effect, the induction and exhaust are upgraded with modern engine control systems. More of a ‘brass board’ prototype, I wish them well:


A three cylinder version at 50hp (35 kW) would be very attractive. Then scaled to 100 and 150hp, a nice family:

• 3 cylinder - 120 degree power pulses for smoother operation and tolerable reliability if on cylinder fails.
• Separate oil crank case - avoids burning lubricant
• Forced induction - avoids butterfly losses and potentially handles altitude changes much better
• Direct fuel injection- critical for multi-fuel operation

I like the architecture but there is a lot of work before production becomes real.

Bob Wilson

TORONTO, May 1, 2026 – Electrified vehicles led April Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) sales reaching a record of 17,704 electrified units sold in April 2026, up 38.4% year over year (YOY).

These record electrified sales represented 67.8% of overall sales, including April sales records for the Toyota bZ and Lexus RZ battery electric vehicles (BEV), as well as the first full month of sales for the newly launched Toyota C-HR BEV.

The now fully electrified new generation 2026 RAV4 saw its Canadian-assembled Hybrid version reach a best month sales ever, up 24.6% YOY.

Camry Hybrid (up 28.4% YOY), Tacoma Hybrid (record, up 5.6% YOY), Crown Signia (record, up 84.7% YOY), 4Runner Hybrid (record, up 119.1% YOY), Sienna (record, up 65.2% YOY), Lexus NX 450h+ (record, up 85.4% YOY), Lexus RX Hybrid (record, up 34.7%) and Lexus LX Hybrid (record, up 66.7% YOY) are amongst the other electrified nameplates that achieved significant April sales.

These electrified sales contributed...

I have no pleasure in reporting this news but I was able to see it at the first Munro Associates, open house. This is the death rattle somewhere:

• Detroit MBAs - at the first open house, there were three distinct groups;
  • new business engineers and managers - they were taking furious notes because they’d never heard these lessons before
  • old school Detroit - there to recall past acquaintances with Sandy but more like patting the red headed stepson on the head.
  • Amen chorus - me
• China standing room only - the exact lectures Detroit treated as amusing were attended in Asia SOLD OUT and in China, shared with everyone who stood outside. They were taking notes furiously

I know it is popular to claim China stole our patents and intellectual property. But the most important was how to unleash engineering skills and manufacturing discipline that Sandy taught and Musk occasionally exhibits.

China is ascending...