TOYOTA will unveil three common rail injection turbo diesel engines at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show. It says the 1.5-litre, 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre engines are ready for production and hope they will be seen in vehicles within the next 18 months.

Common rail - which represents the next generation of diesel engines - will first be seen in the Mercedes-Benz A-class, which is due to be launched in the UK during the spring of 1998. PSA, which owns Citroen and Peugeot, is on target to put a common rail engine in a Peugeot 406 during the 1998 model year (Fleet News July 4).

Toyota says its system, co-developed with Denso, offers greater fuel economy, power and torque than indirect injection engines, as well as being cleaner, quieter, smoother and more responsive. The 1.5-litre SOHC 8-valve engine is intended for small passenger cars and has a target of fuel consumption of around 94mpg. The 2.0-litre DOHC 16-valve unit is destined for medium-sized cars with the emphasis on motorway performance and fuel economy. The 2.4-litre DOHC 16-valve is intended for LCVs and is designed for low-speed torque and durability.