It’s been over a yr since Toyota introduced a brand new household of four-cylinder combustion engines, to be supplied in each naturally aspirated and turbocharged flavors. These upcoming gasoline engines, deliberate with displacements of 1.5 liters and a pair of.0 liters, are mentioned to be smaller and lighter. Whereas effectivity is the first purpose, efficiency gained’t be missed. The bigger of the 2 engines is getting the Gazoo Racing therapy, already previewed within the GR Yaris M idea.

The wild mid-engine sizzling hatch took us without warning when it debuted as an idea on the Tokyo Auto Salon in January. Sporting the brand new “G20E” engine mounted above the rear axle, the pocket rocket featured an IHI turbocharger, pushing output to round 400-450 hp. Nonetheless, German journal Auto Motor und Sport has now realized from Toyota engineers that there’s potential for rather more: “With a bigger turbocharger, greater than 600 hp is well potential.”

That might be greater than double what the “G16E-GTS” produces within the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and Lexus LBX Morizo RR with their turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine. Nonetheless, whereas 600+ hp is technically achievable with a bigger turbo, Toyota will probably run into a serious impediment: stricter laws. It might (and possibly will) be compelled to detune the “G20E” to scale back CO₂ emissions. Nonetheless, even an output beginning with a “4,” not to mention a “5,” can be spectacular. In race automotive purposes, an uncorked model may absolutely exploit the engine’s potential.

Essentially the most highly effective four-cylinder engine put in in a series-production automotive is Mercedes-AMG’s M139l with 469 horsepower obtainable within the much-criticized C63 plug-in hybrid. An honorable point out goes to the lesser-known Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-440 MR, which produced 440 hp. Nonetheless, it was primarily a tuned automotive, and simply 40 items have been ever bought.

Anticipate to see Toyota’s new four-cylinder engine to energy many efficiency vehicles, as the two.0-liter is being engineered for each longitudinal and transverse installations. It may sit on the entrance or rear, making it a potential spine for Gazoo Racing’s future lineup. Toyota has teased a possible return of the Celica and/or MR2, whereas additionally promising that the Supra will dwell on past the present technology. A next-gen GR86 may be a pure match, assuming it’s in improvement.

Toyota advised Auto Motor und Sport that it’s been testing the “G20E” within the GR Yaris M for a while. Nonetheless, we recall sharing a video that includes a Lexus IS prototype over a yr in the past. The stripped-down sedan was fitted with one of many new engines and sounded extremely promising, presumably that includes essentially the most thrilling member of the brand new four-cylinder lineup. On the time, Toyota’s engine boss Takashi Uehara hyped the “completely new engine” as being meant for “automotive lovers who anticipate somewhat one thing additional.”

Curiously, one Toyota engineer strongly prompt the “G20E” will probably be extremely tunable (2JZ redux?): “We left sufficient area between the cylinders in order that the engine might be bored out significantly.” One other engineer claimed the Yaris M’s “efficiency is unbelievable,” including that the new hatch’s wheelbase needed to be barely prolonged to accommodate the engine mounted behind the motive force.

It’s price noting that Toyota’s new four-cylinder household is a part of a broader initiative alongside two different Japanese automakers to increase the lifetime of combustion engines. Mazda is growing rotary engines as vary extenders, whereas Subaru continues refining its boxer engine. Hybridization is a shared goal, however the trio can also be exploring carbon-neutral fuels like liquid hydrogen, biofuel, and artificial gas.

Beating a useless horse? Toyota doesn’t suppose so. In early 2024, Chairman Akio Toyoda mentioned he doesn’t imagine EVs will ever exceed a 30% market share. Nonetheless, a latest Worldwide Vitality Company (IEA) research discovered that over 20% of latest vehicles bought final yr worldwide didn’t have a combustion engine. Moreover, BloombergNEF initiatives EV gross sales will improve by 25% in 2025. That report additionally predicts almost two-thirds of worldwide EV demand this yr will come from China, adopted by Europe at 17% and america at 7%.