How the iForce MAX system works (Toyota video)

Though the Tundra V6 is shown the Tacoma is the same. This should answer questions for some. Maybe.

https://youtu.be/9RmE5meXSME

 

Thanks for posting this!

 

Hoping someone can do a more technical explanation, ie when the electric motor engages, how long can the motor sustain the rated power output, etc.

 

There was another Toyota video explaining that if I remember correctly. You can run the battery low but the computer will use the engine that runs the generator to recharge (keep charged) the battery. So in effect the battery is always being charged.

 

That was a well laid out video to help better understand that system. Thank you for sharing.

 

This has been a question I have also, so based on this effectively the truck should have full hybrid power available 100% of the time?

 

Even if it isn’t, I can’t think of a time you’d use max rated power output for an extended period. Even towing my boat up the actual hill the cooling systems are rated on (highway 68 in AZ), I can’t ever recall just not downshifting and using part throttle.


That said, based on the battery size (1.87kwh), a 48hp motor would run at full output for about 3 mins to deplete it.

 

Living in Colorado I can see pulling a trailer even a smaller trailer over some of the 10000' passes would take all the power of the 4cyl plus some. I am not very familiar with these Hybrids and how they fully work. From the reading I have done the Wrangler 4Xe even when the battery shows depleted (not Sure if it actually goes to 0% I believe it goes to 1%) it seems to have full power.

 

Does this happen with all the power of the v6 now? Do people pull trailers at 6000rpm for extended periods?

even without the hybrid system, the 4cyl makes the same horsepower as the current v6 if so. And at 10000ft, it will make VASTLY more.

 

There is always charge in the battery for the motor assist from what I understand. It's always being charged since it's an electric motor/generator.

 

If the electric motor is capable of constantly producing the 48hp, it’s also taking 48hp to run from the ICE side.

So theoretically, if you’re foot to the floor open asking for every ounce of power, eventually the electric motor won’t give you anything it doesn’t take away from the ICE. But that almost never happens

 

Well it works. That's all that matters

 

Yeah I think extremely few people are going to seriously ask for 326hp constantly for 3+ mins at a time

 

Will it give better mileage while towing? My Gen 3 V6 takes a big hit when pulling my 2000 lb camper.

 

Dunno, the Tundra guys should know since it's been a few years in that truck.

 

Most likely will, especially in areas with hills and lots of throttle changes

 

I’m not a physicist for sure, but what would be the point of a hybrid system then?

I thought electric motors are more efficient?

If what you’re saying is true, then hybrids would t produce more efficiency?

honestly, I don’t get it either way.

 

I think the reality is the hybrid setup (and turbo motor) are a huge step forward in a lot of ways. It will cover a the overwhelming majority of use cases. That being said, there is no "perfect" drive train that meets ALL needs.

However, the use case presented above in @DukeofArmchair 's post (towing a 6k trailer up over a mountain pass, like Monarch) is a very real use case. Already, I can tell you my NA 4.0 V6 absolutely suuuuuuuucks up there. I say up there because in addition to the grade of the slope making it difficult, the altitude absolutely neuters the power created by an NA engine. Output is close to being cut in half. If you've driven high elevation mountain passes you know what I'm talking about. And yes, it takes more than 3 minutes to get up some of these. Hell, you might have the engine pegged at 5000rpm for 15 or more minutes if you're pulling something, loaded down, big tires, or all three.

But the turbo engines don't lose nearly as much power at altitude as an NA engine would. So even just having the turbo 4 cylinder without the hybrid tech will be an improvement for altitude. The hybrid stuff will just help everywhere else.

 

The hybrid is more efficient because it can recharge when the ICE engine is making power more efficiently, and deliver it during times of less efficiency. Think low RPM from a dead stop.

that said, this hybrid system is designed for performance, not efficiency.

 

got it.


I wonder if the 27 MPG was just a typo on Toyotas part. I know they removed that now for the Land Cruiser.