The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers has awarded Daihatsu with the Medal for new Technology 2022 for its naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre 3-cylinder WA-VE and WA-VEX petrol engines.

According to Daihatsu, the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers awarded the WA-VE and WA-VEX engines for its high efficiency and low cost. This follows Daihatsu's earlier award in 2020 for the development of new generation split drive CVT, commonly known as the Dual-mode CVT (D-CVT).

The WA-VE and WA-VEX engines feature a high-tumble straight port with a shape that maximizes the opening between the intake valve and the valve seat improves high-speed combustion and knock resistance, and a compact combustion chamber has been adopted.

Also, the dual-port, low-penetration atomizing system is designed to introduce injected fuel into the throat of the port on the intake airflow, and the unique two-passage cooling system, which incorporates a first passage that constantly flows into the cylinder block and a second passage that can be switched by the thermostat, reduce unburned fuel loss.

The end result is an engine that achieves excellent fuel efficiency, and in the case of the hybrid, achieving a maximum thermal efficiency of 40 percent, as well as reduced CO2 emissions.

​The 1.2-litre WA-VEX engine is currently fitted to the lease-only Perodua Ativa Hybrid. Being a series-hybrid, the petrol engine only serves as a power generator and does not drive the wheels. The petrol engine’s sole duty in the Ativa Hybrid is only to charge the on-board battery.

Also Read: Here's the explanation of why you can't buy the Perodua Ativa Hybrid

As for the non-hybrid WA-VE engine, this engine made its debut on the Indonesian-spec Toyota Raize and Daihatsu Rocky. Following that, the new-generation Toyota Agya and Daihatsu Ayla (twins to the D74A Perodua Axia) also get the WA-VE engine as an option.

Also Read: 2021 Toyota Raize 1.2L variants go on sale in Indonesia; Ativa's cheaper, non-turbo twin

The same WA-VE engine also replaces the turbocharged 1KR-VET engine for front-wheel drive variants of the Japanese market Raize and Rocky.

It remains to be seen if the WA-VE or WA-VEX engines will be offered on any Malaysian-spec Perodua.