Nearly a year after the mysterious mid-engined GR Yaris M first broke cover, Toyota has finally pulled back the curtain on what it was really testing, a brand-new, Gazoo Racing-developed 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that could redefine the brand’s performance future.
From Three to Four: A Bold Shift
The new G20E engine is an evolution of Toyota’s acclaimed 1.6-litre G16E three-cylinder unit that powers the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. But this time, engineers have added an extra cylinder. It’s a surprising move in an era obsessed with downsizing, but Toyota’s logic is straightforward: refinement.
While the three-cylinder delivered explosive torque and great efficiency, the extra damping and complex software tuning required to counter its harsh vibrations made it harder to justify. The new four-cylinder layout, Toyota says, will strike a better balance between performance, smoothness, and reliability, key ingredients for a road-going performance car.
400 Horses and Counting
Under the hood, the 2.0-litre turbocharged G20E is expected to produce around 400bhp, a figure that immediately places it in elite company. That’s roughly the same power output as Mercedes-AMG’s record-setting M139 engine, which until now has been the benchmark for high-performance four-cylinders.
Toyota engineers hint that 400bhp is only the starting point. They’ve confirmed the engine is capable of higher outputs, and even hinted at hybrid compatibility using Toyota’s dual-motor system. The result could be a next-generation powertrain that blends electric torque with pure combustion fury, a rare combination in today’s performance landscape.
More Than a Test Mule
Although the GR Yaris M was initially seen as a one-off engineering playground, Toyota insists the engine is being tested far beyond that prototype. The company has already fitted the G20E to an automatic Lexus IS saloon and even a manual Lexus RC coupe, suggesting its versatility across platforms.
If Toyota decides to pair the engine with a manual gearbox in production, it would stand out as one of the few high-performance four-cylinders in the world still offering a three-pedal setup, something enthusiasts have been longing for as automatics continue to dominate.
Could the GR Corolla Get It Next?
All signs point to the GR Corolla as the likely recipient of this powerhouse. The current model’s 296bhp setup is already potent, but a 400bhp successor would elevate it into “hyper hatch” territory, rivalling cars like the Audi RS3 and Mercedes-AMG A45 S.
While Toyota hasn’t officially confirmed GR Corolla sales for the UK, production is now happening on British soil a promising sign that UK enthusiasts might finally get their hands on one.
Still Fighting for Combustion
Toyota’s Chief Technology Officer, Hiroki Nakajima, has said that “the enemy is carbon,” but this project makes one thing clear: the company isn’t abandoning combustion just yet. Instead, it’s refining it, proving that petrol engines can coexist with Toyota’s broader electrification strategy.
The GR Yaris M might have started life as a mystery, but it’s now shaping up to be the testbed for one of Toyota’s most ambitious performance engines yet, one that keeps the heart of driving alive while evolving it for the modern age.
