- Toyota’s new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder G20E engine can produce nearly 450kW with a larger turbo.
- The new engine can be mounted front or rear for both longitudinal and transverse configurations.
- Toyota, Subaru and Mazda are developing carbon-neutral fuels and hybrid solutions to extend the life of combustion engines.
Toyota is doubling down on combustion, unveiling details of its new family of four-cylinder petrol engines - and there’s plenty for performance fans to get excited about.
While efficiency and emissions compliance headline the official talking points, it’s the sheer potential of these motors that’s setting tongues wagging.
Could this be Toyota’s next tuning legend?
The excitement centres on Toyota's new 2.0-litre turbocharged unit, internally tagged “G20E.”
Toyota has already dropped it into the GR Yaris M concept: an audacious mid-engined hot hatch shown off at Tokyo Auto Salon in January. Packing an IHI turbo and mounted behind the driver, that car produces around 300 to 340kW.
But Toyota insiders told German outfit Auto Motor und Sport that’s just the beginning: with a beefier turbocharger, “more than 600hp is easily possible” - that’s right around 450kW.
Of course, roadgoing versions will have to contend with ever-tighter emissions regs. Even so, Toyota’s engineers hint that outputs starting with a “4” or “5” could make production.
And in motorsport? All bets are off, with the uncorked G20E potentially being an absolute monster.
A versatile backbone for Gazoo Racing
Designed for both longitudinal and transverse applications, the 2.0-litre G20E can slot in up front or at the rear, making it a potential foundation for future GR machines.
Toyota has teased everything from a next-gen GR86 to possible MR2 or Celica revivals - not to mention a Supra successor.
And if you’re getting 2JZ vibes, you’re not alone. Engineers have confirmed the G20E was designed with tuning in mind. “We left enough space between the cylinders so that the engine can be bored out considerably,” said one.
Another admitted the GR Yaris M’s “performance is incredible,” noting they even had to stretch the wheelbase slightly to make the mid-engine layout work.
Combustion’s final act?
The new four-cylinder is part of a broader push by Toyota, Subaru and Mazda to keep petrol engines alive.The trio are exploring carbon-neutral fuels (including hydrogen and synthetics) as well as hybridisation.
Despite the industry’s EV charge, Toyota’s top brass remain sceptical that battery electrics will ever claim more than 30% market share globally.
As always, time will tell. But for now, Toyota’s latest combustion plans suggest the performance petrol engine isn’t ready to bow out just yet.
