Toyota has taken a bold leap forward with the introduction of its revolutionary Toyota 4 cylinder engine, part of the new G20E lineup. This 2.0-liter gasoline engine was designed from the ground up to power the next generation of Gazoo Racing vehicles. Its first appearance in the GR Yaris M concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon showcased not only its technical prowess but also its astonishing performance, delivering between 400 and 450 horsepower from a compact, mid-rear-mounted layout featuring an IHI turbocharger.
The Road to 600 Horsepower
One of the most talked-about breakthroughs in performance engineering, this Toyota 4 cylinder engine has been confirmed by the brand’s engineers—via Auto Motor und Sport—to be capable of pushing past the 600-horsepower threshold when paired with a larger turbo. That’s nearly double the power output of the three-cylinder G16E GTS currently found in the GR Yaris. Despite facing constraints from global emissions standards, especially in Europe and North America, Toyota is determined to make this engine a benchmark of intelligent performance and efficiency.
Designed for Flexibility
The Toyota 4 cylinder engine isn’t just powerful—it’s also incredibly adaptable. It can be mounted in both front-engine longitudinal and mid-rear layouts, giving designers and engineers freedom to integrate it across a variety of platforms. This versatility opens the door for a potential revival of beloved Toyota sports cars, including the MR2, Celica, GR86, and even a future Supra model.
Challenging the Segment Leaders
Currently, the most powerful production engine in this class is the Mercedes-AMG M139L, delivering 469 horsepower. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ 440 MR followed closely at 440 horsepower in a very limited production run. But Toyota is setting its sights higher—the new Toyota 4 cylinder engine aims to outperform these benchmarks while remaining in a compact engine class.
A New Era for Gazoo Racing
More than just an engine, the Toyota 4 cylinder engine symbolizes the future of Gazoo Racing. It’s built to serve as the foundation for a range of hybrid, electrified, and traditional sports cars. Whether it’s racing on the Super GT circuits or powering high-performance street cars with a motorsport pedigree, this engine represents Toyota’s commitment to innovation and adrenaline-fueled driving.
Room to Grow
Adding to its long-term potential, engineers designed the Toyota 4 cylinder engine with extra space between the cylinders, allowing for significant displacement expansion. This scalable architecture hints at a tuning capability reminiscent of the iconic 2JZ engine, offering enthusiasts a new platform to explore and elevate.
In Summary: The Rise of a New Icon
The GR Yaris M concept showcased the Toyota 4 cylinder engine with 400–450 hp.
Toyota engineers confirmed it can exceed 600 hp with a larger turbo.
Versatile design allows front or mid-rear installations.
Scalable construction links it to the legendary performance of the 2JZ.
With the Toyota 4 cylinder engine, the brand is poised to redefine what’s possible from compact powerplants—delivering a perfect balance of efficiency, innovation, and raw power to fuel the next generation of Toyota performance cars.
