Toyota has slowly expanded its choices of GR-branded efficiency automobiles over time, with fashions just like the GR Corolla and GR Yaris attaining cult-like standing in some markets.
Not one of the automobiles characteristic electrification, however that will change quickly, Autocar reported on Wednesday, citing feedback from GR engineer Hiroyuki Yamada.
In accordance with the report, GR, which stands for Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s official motorsports arm and efficiency sub-brand, is creating a hybrid powertrain that makes use of a newly developed 2.0-liter turbo-4 as its fuel part. The transfer will allow Toyota to satisfy stricter emissions laws in each highway automobile and motorsports purposes.
“We will use hybrid for future automobiles,” Yamada is quoted as saying. “This expertise we create we’ll apply to each motorsports and passenger engines.”
Toyota GR Yaris M prototype
The two.0-liter turbo-4 was introduced in January throughout the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, with Toyota revealing it in a mid-engined GR Yaris prototype that rumor has it could possibly be an early check mule for a possible modern-day MR2 sports activities automobile. A contemporary Celica may additionally be a recipient for the engine.
In accordance with Autocar’s report, the engine contains a compact, light-weight design due to a shorter piston stroke, and each delicate hybrid and plug-in hybrid configurations are supported—with outputs as excessive as 400 hp potential. Timing for the engine’s market launch, whether or not as a sole energy supply or forming a part of a hybrid setup, is unknown.
GR can also be regarded as creating an electrified V-8 engine for a brand new sports activities automobile that may probably find yourself marketed as a Lexus. This sports activities automobile has already been noticed testing and is anticipated to hit the market subsequent 12 months.
