- According to a report, Toyota is working on a new hybrid powertrain for its range of GR performance vehicles. Autocar .
- At the core of the powertrain will be a newly designed turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine capable of generating up to 400 horsepower.
- Toyota hinted at this powerplant with the GR Yaris M concept, which also suggests the possible comeback of the mid-engine MR2 sports car.
In recent years, Toyota has been focusing more on appealing to car enthusiasts through a range of GR-branded sports vehicles, starting from the budget-friendly options. GR86 coupe to the GR Corolla hot hatch and the six-cylinder GR Supra Now, Toyota is making sure that its GR series remains available in various markets, except for the United States, where many countries continue to tighten their emission standards. Autocar is reporting that Toyota is developing a new hybrid system for upcoming high-performance vehicles.
The hybrid configuration will center around a newly developed turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is presently being created. Toyota has hinted at this powerplant with the The GR Yaris M concept was unveiled earlier this year at the Tokyo Auto Salon. , replacing the small hatchback’s turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a centrally mounted 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder.
The engine can serve dual purposes for conventional hybrid setups as well as plug-in hybrids. Weighing less and measuring 2.0 liters, this engine outshines Toyota’s present offerings due to its reduced piston stroke length. This design element effectively counterbalances the additional mass from incorporating hybrid technology components.
Although Toyota has not revealed much information about the engine, Autocar The updated four-cylinder engine might generate approximately 400 horsepower for street use. Currently, the 2.4-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder in the GR86 delivers 228 hp, whereas the turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder in the GR Corolla offers 300 horsepower. This hybrid system will furthermore be employed in Toyota’s racing endeavors.
The mid-engine GR Yaris could potentially lead to a sports car with the engine positioned between the axles. Speculation regarding the comeback of the MR2 moniker have gained momentum over the past year. The The FT-Se concept introduced in 2023 proposed that the successor to the MR2 could potentially be an electric vehicle. However, due to Toyota's overall hesitation regarding electric vehicles and the uncertainties surrounding the GR Yaris M project, a gasoline-powered sports car appears more probable.
Autocar indicates that the mid-engine sports car received approval for production in May, and Toyota suggested potential plans for several new sports cars in a video posted last autumn. including a third-generation GR86, a new MR2, the reintroduction of the Celica, and a sixth-generation Supra. There will also be a flagship sports car— likely inspired by the 2022 GR GT3 concept —was also listed and has been spotted testing , even though it might ultimately be branded as a Lexus.
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