Toyota has spent 35M$ in order to certify a V8 for aviation, with zero
results so far.
My 3 cents to this:
Toyota (or better said Hamilton Standard FOR Toyota) has certified the
engine PLUS the production. You can't really say with no results, as they
never made
any engines available to the consumer. Which in this case doesn't mean
anything concerning the engine. It beats me why Toyota decided against
production, but
it for sure has nothing to do with the engine technology or reliability.
I bet it is only based on Toyota Corporate politics. The same with their
plane, which
by the way was NOT to use their engine but a Continental if I recall
right. Why the Japanese do so much research and development and then don't
go ahead I
will never understand, as generally their products a quite competitive.
I am afraid the same will happen with the Honda Jet, which is some aircraft
PLUS some
nice Jet Engine.
I wouldn't dare to through the Toyota V8 in the same box as all other
(failed) projects.
By the way this happened in the past - Porsche had quite a good engine
running and selling, but they figured they will only brake even but never
recover
development and for that reason quit building the engine even so they
had a customer!! - Mooney...
FV4000, a V8 engine rated at 360 hp that is based on the engine of the
Lexus. The engine is controlled by a FADEC (full authority digital engine
control)
developed by Hamilton Standard. The engine is equipped with two
turbochargers and intercoolers supplying the maximum continuos power up to
18000 feet. The FAA
certified the engine in February of last year and production
certification was granted on December 16. Both companies will conduct
intense market studies
before making a decision about the production.
This power level doesn't seem out of the safe and reliable range for the
Toyota V8....
I know nothing to do with the rotary, but a footnote to the last posts.
Thomas J.
The Mooney Porche cost more than the Mooney Lycoming. Was slower and
burned more
fuel.
It is not a stock Lexus V8. No parts are interchangeable. About the only
thing
they have in common is they are both V8's.
Paul Lamar
Heads up corporations like Toyota and Honda, frequently fund programs like
these
primarily for visibility, and challenges for the engineering staff, and they
usually make
the correct decision that the market will not suport reasonable production.
and the
liability exposure is too high. - numerous piston auto engine conversions
and derivations
have been certified for aircraft - but never a single Wankel to my Knowledge