...Ford and Kia, on the other hand, have little to know experience in turboed engines...QUOTE]
Ford's 1.8T in the RS200 back in the mid 80's was a stout engine. It produced 250HP for the street version and 350-400HP in the rally version. I wouldn't say that they have no experience, but I understand what you're saying.
I think a 2.0T would be a better fit for say a Corolla "Sport" or something. Maybe resurrect the MR2 or Celica.
Personally, I'd like to see the 5.7L iForce V8 in the Camry :rockon:
As a whole, though, Ford has little experience with turbocharged engines. Especially in anything that's not a sporting application.
The 2.0T would be great in the Venza, Rav, Highlander, an MPV like the Verso, some kind of sporty hatchback, the tC, and a sporty Corolla, as well.
I'm with you on wanting to see the 5.7 make it's way into something else, though. Especially the FJ/4Runner.
In the real world, they just don't work.
http://jalopnik.com/5981829/consumer-reports-slams-small-turbo-engines
I drove a relative's Optima turbo. Great looking car ...... but my gosh ...... the power curve is soooooooooooooo uneven it was just no fun to drive. It feels very underpowered until the damn thing kicks in. Nowehere near as good as my 09 Camry V6. And here they are braggin that they got 30 mpg on a highway trip ...... LOL my Camry and even my '97 Avalon would do that easy !!!!!!!!!
Also, think of reliability. You are going to push an engine half as big to get the same result ?????? talk about engine stress on the bearings, cylinder walls and other components. Your won't see those things going 250,000 trouble free miles like my 3.0L V6Avalon sold to a friend who has over 250,000 miles on it with zero repairs and only 2 sets of spark plugs.
Both Honda and Toyota V6's outperform Ford and Hyundai/Kia Turbos in both performance and fuel economy.
Unless you can afford a BMW ...... stick with a naturally aspirated engine.
OTHER makers' just don't work. The reason being is because they've been compromised, and/or the maker doesn't have the experience.
Unless you are familiar with turbocharged engines in some other vehicles, like the new BMW 328i, Audi/VW's 2.0T, Subaru's turbo H4, I wouldn't base your opinion and impression of them on a car built by a maker known for cheaping out on stuff.
The Korean 2.0T twins are a joke. The cars are geared poorly, the turbos are inefficient, and the power ratings are very suspect.
Regarding the maintenance and longevity, you have a point to an extent, but forced induction engines can still be very reliable. Turbos aren't some magical evil force that cause to your engine to blow up at 75,000 miles.
Advancements in other areas, such as electronics and safety systems, are going to pose a greater threat to long term reliability anyways.
Toyota is more than capable of making such an engine reliable, efficient, and affordable.
hell NO.
I owned turbo passat, got few friends who went through "turbo craziness" and based on what I know, heard and read about turbo I want no turbo in my car.
it been proven many times that v-6 cheaper to own, more reliable, last longer and in real life more economical and very often quicker than small turbo engines.
toyota building 2.0T turbo for european market. since they paying enormous taxes there for them it might make sense to go with turbo, but I don't see any reason to own turbo car in US.
I covered just about all of what you said in the response above.
And you're kidding yourself if you think that 2.0T won't see use in anything sold in the US.