Toyota has slowly expanded its choices of GR-branded efficiency vehicles through the years, with fashions just like the GR Corolla and GR Yaris attaining cult-like standing in some markets.
Not one of the vehicles function electrification, however that will change quickly, Autocar reported on Wednesday, citing feedback from GR engineer Hiroyuki Yamada.
In keeping with the report, GR, which stands for Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s official motorsports arm and efficiency sub-brand, is growing a hybrid powertrain that makes use of a newly developed 2.0-liter turbo-4 as its fuel element. The transfer will allow Toyota to satisfy stricter emissions laws in each highway automotive and motorsports purposes.
“We are able to use hybrid for future vehicles,” Yamada is quoted as saying. “This expertise we create we are going to 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 might be an early take a look at mule for a possible modern-day MR2 sports activities automotive. A contemporary Celica may be a recipient for the engine.
In keeping with Autocar’s report, the engine incorporates a compact, light-weight design because of a shorter piston stroke, and each delicate hybrid and plug-in hybrid configurations are supported—with outputs as excessive as 400 hp attainable. 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 considered growing an electrified V-8 engine for a brand new sports activities automotive that may seemingly find yourself marketed as a Lexus. This sports activities automotive has already been noticed testing and is predicted to hit the market subsequent yr.
