Toyota is ready to remind the world that high-performance internal combustion engines still have a future. At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Takashi Uehara, president of Toyota’s powertrain division, confirmed that the company’s upcoming GR-badged supercar will debut with a brand-new twin-turbocharged V8. The long-rumored powerplant will make its official appearance in early December, marking Toyota’s most serious foray into the supercar world since the Lexus LFA.
While Toyota has been busy developing smaller and more efficient four-cylinder engines as part of its modular lineup, this new eight-cylinder unit shows the brand hasn’t forgotten about enthusiasts. Uehara revealed that the foundation for the V8 stems from the same modular family as Toyota’s next-generation 1.5- and 2.0-liter engines, offering flexibility across a wide range of models and applications.
From Yaris to Supercar: A Shared DNA
In Toyota’s mid-engine GR Yaris M concept, the 2.0-liter “G20E” engine already targets more than 400 horsepower. Uehara noted that the new V8 is “widely speaking” related to this powerplant, but with substantially greater output thanks to its twin-turbo setup and doubled cylinder count.
This modular approach signals a new era in Toyota’s performance engineering one where even the company’s most powerful engines share development DNA with its smaller, mass-market units. The V8’s scalability means Toyota can efficiently balance performance goals with tightening global emissions regulations.
Electrified, But Not Plug-In
Perhaps the most intriguing detail is that the V8 won’t live on its own. Uehara confirmed that the engine will form part of a hybrid powertrain, blending combustion and electrification for both performance and efficiency. However, he made it clear that the car will not be a plug-in hybrid. Instead, Toyota is likely opting for a lightweight hybrid system designed to enhance response and acceleration without the added mass of a large battery pack.
This setup aligns with Toyota’s recent philosophy, evolving the internal combustion engine rather than abandoning it outright. The company’s hybrid expertise, honed through decades of development, will play a key role in defining how this supercar behaves both on road and track.
Lexus to Get Its Own Version
As expected, Toyota won’t keep the V8 exclusive to its GR division. When asked whether Lexus would have access to the new powerplant, Uehara all but confirmed it, pointing toward the Lexus Sport Concept shown at the same event. He hinted that while the GR supercar will get a “muscular, heavy-duty” version of the engine, Lexus will adopt a “more gentle” tuning focused on refinement and grand touring performance.
This dual-purpose strategy allows Toyota to spread development costs across brands while ensuring distinct personalities for each. The GR model will likely emphasize raw performance and racing DNA, while Lexus will prioritize smoothness and long-distance capability.
Keeping the V8 Alive
Toyota’s decision mirrors a broader industry trend. Despite the rapid shift toward electrification, several automakers including AMG, BMW, and Porsche continue to refine their V8 engines for the future. These companies, like Toyota, see room for combustion excellence alongside electrification.
In an era when many predicted the end of the V8, Toyota’s confirmation feels like both defiance and celebration. The upcoming GR flagship won’t just be a new supercar, it’ll be a statement: the sound and soul of the V8 still matter.
