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According to a report, Toyota is working on a new hybrid power system for its range of GR performance vehicles.
Autocar
.
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At the core of the powertrain will be a newly developed turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine capable of generating as much as 400 horsepower.
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Toyota hinted at this powerplant with the GR Yaris M concept, which also suggests the possible comeback of the mid-engine MR2 sports car.
In recent years, Toyota has focused more on appealing to car lovers by offering a range of GR-branded sports vehicles, starting with the budget-friendly options.
GR86 coupe
to the
GR Corolla hot hatch
and the six-cylinder
GR Supra
Currently, Toyota is making sure that its GR series remains available in numerous countries, except for the United States, where stricter emission standards continue to be implemented.
Autocar
has mentioned that Toyota is developing a new hybrid system for upcoming high-performance vehicles.
The hybrid system will center on a newly developed turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is presently being created. Toyota hinted at this powertrain with the
The GR Yaris M concept was unveiled earlier this year at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
, replacing the small hatchback’s turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a centrally mounted 2.0-liter turbofour.
The engine can serve dual purposes for both conventional hybrid and plug-in-hybrid setups. Weighing in at 2.0 liters, this powerplant is more compact and lightweight compared to Toyota’s present offerings, largely due to a reduced piston stroke which aids in offsetting the additional mass from incorporating hybrid technology components.
Although Toyota has not revealed much information regarding the engine,
Autocar
proposes that the updated four-cylinder engine might generate approximately 400 horsepower for street use. Currently, the 2.4-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder in the GR86 delivers 228 hp, whereas the turbocharged 1.6-liter triple in the GR Corolla offers 300 horsepower. This hybrid system will similarly be employed in Toyota’s racing endeavors.
The mid-engine GR Yaris could potentially lead to a sports car with the engine positioned between the wheels.
Speculations regarding the comeback of the MR2 designation
have gained momentum over the last year. The
The FT-Se idea proposed in 2023 indicated that the next version of the MR2 could potentially be an electric vehicle.
, however, Toyota’s overall hesitation regarding electric vehicles and the GR Yaris M project suggest that a gasoline-driven sports car appears more probable.
Autocar
indicates that the mid-engine sports car received approval for production back in May, and
Toyota suggested potential developments for several new sports cars in a video posted last autumn.
, featuring a third-generation GR86, a new MR2, the reintroduction of the Celica, and a sixth-generation Supra. It also includes a flagship sports car—
apparently inspired by the 2022 GR GT3 concept
—was also listed and
has been spotted testing
, even though it might ultimately be branded as a Lexus.
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