Toyota's New 2.0-Liter Turbo Engine Makes Big Power

[AVANTI R5]

Toyota's New 2.0-Liter Turbo Engine Makes Big Power

The potent four-cylinder unit can be mounted transversely and longitudinally.

New Toyota 2.0-liter engine

According to Toyota's Chief Technology Officer Hiroki Nakajima, its new four-cylinder engine lineup is a "game changer." The upcoming powertrains have 1.5- and 2.0-liter displacements, and while they're being optimized primarily for electrification, the fun element isn't being ignored. At least, that's the case for the 2.0-liter turbo engine the engineers mounted last year in a stripped-out Lexus IS for testing purposes.

For the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, the four-pot was installed in a mid-engine test mule based on a GR Yaris. In the press release, Toyota didn't disclose the 2.0-liter turbo engine's output but hinted in an interview with Japanese journalists during TAS that it could make over 400 horsepower. During the Multipathway Workshop held last May, Car Watch learned from Nakajima that the target is 400 PS, which technically works out to 394 hp. However, there seems to be room for more.


At 2025 TAS, Nakajima suggested it could pack an even greater punch. In response to a reporter's question, he said, "Is it a 400-PS engine?" Of course, that could mean less than Toyota's initial estimate. However, the original version shown last year already had 400 PS, so we should expect more rather than less. A peak torque of 369 pound-feet (500 Newton meters) was estimated in 2024.
A 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine with more than 400 hp is not a novelty, considering AMG's "M139" makes 416 hp in the "45"-badged cars. When longitudinally mounted in the hugely controversial C63, the "M139l" produces a massive 469 hp. Heck, even the rare Mitsubishi Evo X FQ-440 MR had 440 hp a decade ago, albeit that car was chock-full of engine mods.

Nakajima told Car Watch that a lesser version of the 2.0-liter turbo engine is planned with a projected output of 300 PS (296 hp) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). The unrestricted four-cylinder mill will make more than 600 hp in race cars. This engine can be installed both transversely and longitudinally. Toyota already uses a 2.0-liter turbo four-banger in a sports car via BMW and its B48 engine, although not for long. The current Supra is facing imminent retirement, but the nameplate will continue. It remains to be seen whether the next-gen Supra will feature the "G20E."

Lest we forget, Toyota has consistently dropped hints about dusting off other sports car nameplates. Now and then, we keep getting signals about the Celica and/or MR2 returning. Logic tells us the "G20E" will be at the core of the company's sports car lineup. The new engine will be positioned above the three-cylinder 1.6-liter unit found in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. The "G16E-GTS" also powers a Lexus model, so here's hoping Toyota's luxury brand will also use the larger 2.0-liter.

Since we mentioned Lexus, it’s cooking up a fun car of its own, but with a much bigger engine. The "LFR" (name not confirmed) is widely believed to rock a twin-turbo V-8 and serve as a street-legal sibling of Toyota's new GT3 race car. There's also an electric indirect successor to the LFA, previewed by the Electrified Sport concept.

Against all odds, Toyota still wants to cater to enthusiasts, even in an SUV-obsessed world and an automotive industry significantly impacted by stricter emissions regulations. Sports cars are a niche segment, but it looks like the Gazoo Racing arm wants to properly rival Mercedes-AMG, Audi Sport, and BMW M. Ideally, it will do so at a lower price, leaving Lexus to fight the higher-ends models from the German trio.

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[Gixhost]

As in the Yaris post, can't wait to see what they do with this!

[Genericuser1]

MR2 Please

[Russ_G93]

Incoming Lexus IS Powerplant Replacement. Celica is going to be a nice car. At least it won't have "Cladding."

[VarmintCong]

Originally Posted by Russ_G93

Incoming Lexus IS Powerplant Replacement. Celica is going to be a nice car. At least it won't have "Cladding."

The EV market is turning south so quickly that smart companies like Toyota might continue with ICE vehicles rather than jumping onto the EV bonfire.

So there's a chance you could see a rear-drive IS w/ the new 2.0L. Just go mild hybrid for marketing purposes.

Mercedes is going mild hybrid with the 2.0L turbo in a lot of their vehicles.

[Pre]

I really hope the Celica cost isn't nuts. Vehicles have gotten too damn expensive.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by VarmintCong

The EV market is turning south so quickly that smart companies like Toyota might continue with ICE vehicles rather than jumping onto the EV bonfire.

EV sales growth has slowed, but is still outpacing ICE. Toyota has always lagged on the BEV front, but is a leader in hybrids. Personally I think that is a smart strategy for them to continue pursuing. They have brand recognition and well earned reputation for reliability. Part of the issue with BEV's is that a lot of legacy automakers are doing what they do best: building vehicles that the market doesn't want. Having said that, with their price cuts people do seem to be buying some of these vehicles. GM, Ford, and Hyundai are closing the gap on Tesla in the US. Hyundai is particularly interesting to me as they have adopted 800V architecture in the Ioniq 5.



Here's some US data:
https://caredge.com/guides/electric-...hare-and-sales


Here's some global data:
https://www.reuters.com/business/aut...24-2025-01-14/


I'm betting the bean counters who make decisions in board rooms are more concerned with data than talking points, but that's just because I'm one of those bean counters who sits in board rooms making decisions based on data.


Having said all that, I think nearly everyone can agree that ICE isn't dead for the foreseeable future. It will be interesting to see how these high specific output engines running a lot of boost hold up over time.

[SCRAPPYDO]

Originally Posted by Stanley

EV sales growth has slowed, but is still outpacing ICE. Toyota has always lagged on the BEV front, but is a leader in hybrids. Personally I think that is a smart strategy for them to continue pursuing. They have brand recognition and well earned reputation for reliability. Part of the issue with BEV's is that a lot of legacy automakers are doing what they do best: building vehicles that the market doesn't want. Having said that, with their price cuts people do seem to be buying some of these vehicles. GM, Ford, and Hyundai are closing the gap on Tesla in the US. Hyundai is particularly interesting to me as they have adopted 800V architecture in the Ioniq 5.



Here's some US data:
https://caredge.com/guides/electric-...hare-and-sales


Here's some global data:
https://www.reuters.com/business/aut...24-2025-01-14/


I'm betting the bean counters who make decisions in board rooms are more concerned with data than talking points, but that's just because I'm one of those bean counters who sits in board rooms making decisions based on data.


Having said all that, I think nearly everyone can agree that ICE isn't dead for the foreseeable future. It will be interesting to see how these high specific output engines running a lot of boost hold up over time.

This is one of those things that sounds like a great sound bite, but it really is not. OF COURSE EV sales growth will outpace ICE growth. ICE have like 93% of the whole market in the US. Not much room to grow that number by percentages. However, if you sell 10,000 more EV it shows massive growth.

Lies
Damn Lies
and
Statistics

--Mark Twain (Not full quote, but you get the gist)

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

This is one of those things that sounds like a great sound bite, but it really is not. OF COURSE EV sales growth will outpace ICE growth. ICE have like 93% of the whole market in the US. Not much room to grow that number by percentages. However, if you sell 10,000 more EV it shows massive growth.

Lies
Damn Lies
and
Statistics

--Mark Twain (Not full quote, but you get the gist)

Did you notice Mr. Clemens didn't say anything about CAGR?

[samagon]

Originally Posted by Stanley

EV sales growth has slowed, but is still outpacing ICE. Toyota has always lagged on the BEV front, but is a leader in hybrids. Personally I think that is a smart strategy for them to continue pursuing. They have brand recognition and well earned reputation for reliability. Part of the issue with BEV's is that a lot of legacy automakers are doing what they do best: building vehicles that the market doesn't want. Having said that, with their price cuts people do seem to be buying some of these vehicles. GM, Ford, and Hyundai are closing the gap on Tesla in the US. Hyundai is particularly interesting to me as they have adopted 800V architecture in the Ioniq 5.



Here's some US data:
https://caredge.com/guides/electric-...hare-and-sales


Here's some global data:
https://www.reuters.com/business/aut...24-2025-01-14/


I'm betting the bean counters who make decisions in board rooms are more concerned with data than talking points, but that's just because I'm one of those bean counters who sits in board rooms making decisions based on data.


Having said all that, I think nearly everyone can agree that ICE isn't dead for the foreseeable future. It will be interesting to see how these high specific output engines running a lot of boost hold up over time.

it's a misnomer to call EV sales falling off a cliff.

but when you look at where brands were planning based on the growth models they were promised, everyone has dialed back big time. every brand that had promised big EV shifts in the next few years have all tempered expectations.

some in disastrous ways, look at VW and Stellantis for examples of sticking it in their own poop holes.

I mean, 2 1/2 years ago, all you could read were articles about how beyond what combustion engine development was done up to then, it's all done, no more development.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by samagon

but when you look at where brands were planning based on the growth models they were promised, everyone has dialed back big time. every brand that had promised big EV shifts in the next few years have all tempered expectations.

1) Growth models are always assumptions, and nothing is ever promised.

2) Building the wrong product then charging too much for it is never going to work. At this point in tech evolution electric Jeeps, pick up trucks, and Hummers are just plain stupid, and their current market pricing represents that: the OEM's are losing money on each sale.

3) Several someones will make money off EV's; there's likely to be few of the legacy automakers in that club. The only reason GM and Ford are still around is because of government bail outs and the chicken tax, not because they are competitive. As I alluded to earlier, Toyota has a huge advantage in the hybrid market and they should (and are) rocking that.

[Russ_G93]

Originally Posted by Pre

I really hope the Celica cost isn't nuts. Vehicles have gotten too damn expensive.

I have some pretty positive feelings about it all. Audi pretty much went negative on all their Models for 2024 sales, except for the Q3. That thing surged (Probably because its the most affordable). I see that model everywhere. If anything its signaling to Audi that people aren't liking the Porsche model of sales.

You're seeing the Camry XSE's for around 36-42k currently. So I imagine.. the Celica might follow suit around there (Starting) - Possibly a 44-46K vehicle. I wouldn't want to buy it if ends up costing more than 48k.

[Pre]

Originally Posted by Russ_G93

I have some pretty positive feelings about it all. Audi pretty much went negative on all their Models for 2024 sales, except for the Q3. That thing surged (Probably because its the most affordable). I see that model everywhere. If anything its signaling to Audi that people aren't liking the Porsche model of sales.

You're seeing the Camry XSE's for around 36-42k currently. So I imagine.. the Celica might follow suit around there (Starting) - Possibly a 44-46K vehicle. I wouldn't want to buy it if ends up costing more than 48k.

I think it will be $50k ish to settle in between the GRC and Supra. It’s supposed to be AWD. We shall see.

[Gixhost]

Although decades ago Toyota had several performance cars in rotation at the same time. I am not sure how this is going to be maintained in today's market. GR86, GR Corolla, Celica, Supra and the rumor of an MR2 all existing at the same time? Not sure how long they could keep that going.

I see the Corolla GR going away at some point. And even then it's a difficult thing to imagine all these vehicles being sold simultaneously. If the MR2 is an EV and the Supra is a hybrid as has been speculated in the past. I guess a mixture of ICE only, hybridized vehicles and EVs could possibly help to created separate audiences.

[Sid03SVT]

Originally Posted by Gixhost

Although decades ago Toyota had several performance cars in rotation at the same time. I am not sure how this is going to be maintained in today's market. GR86, GR Corolla, Celica, Supra and the rumor of an MR2 all existing at the same time? Not sure how long they could keep that going.

I see the Corolla GR going away at some point. And even then it's a difficult thing to imagine all these vehicles being sold simultaneously. If the MR2 is an EV and the Supra is a hybrid as has been speculated in the past. I guess a mixture of ICE only, hybridized vehicles and EVs could possibly help to created separate audiences.

Five performance cars existing at the same time does sound difficult to maintain, at least from a profitability standpoint, however, Toyota is the current largest auto manufacturer in the world.

The GR86 is a reskinned Subaru, it's continued existence hinges more on the agreement with Subaru, rumor is that the next gen is a Toyota based vehicle if it continues.

Similarly, the Supra is a reskinned BMW, the agreement ends in 2026, so it will also become a Toyota based vehicle if it continues.

There was a rumor a while back that Toyota was going to use a shortened IS platform for the GR86 replacement; if they do, that would significantly reduce the R&D costs for it; similarly it could be the basis for the new Supra as well.

As long as they can share parts & platforms across different vehicles, they should be fine; most of their money is made on the CUVs anyways.

MR2 - 2-seat coupe/targa/convertible with a transverse I3T at the rear axle, RWD - least likely to me honestly, unless it's an EV, or significantly different from the other models.
Supra - 2-seat Coupe/targa with a longitudinal front-mid mounted I4T, RWD
GR86 - 2+2 coupe with longitudinal I3T up front, RWD.
GR Celica - 2+2 coupe with transverse I3T up front, AWD based on the GRC with a coupe body (possibly I4T in lower state of tune that the Supra).
GR Corolla - 4 seat hatchback with transverse I3T up front, AWD.

Admittedly, I do not see all five of those existing in the same model year.
I think it's more likely that Lexus versions co-exist, like a revived first gen Lexus SC as the RC replacement - essentially, the Lexus 2+2 GT version of the Supra.

Lexus has that CUV version of the GRC, I wonder how that sold.

[VarmintCong]

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

Five performance cars existing at the same time does sound difficult to maintain, at least from a profitability standpoint, however, Toyota is the current largest auto manufacturer in the world.

The GR86 is a reskinned Subaru, it's continued existence hinges more on the agreement with Subaru, rumor is that the next gen is a Toyota based vehicle if it continues.

Similarly, the Supra is a reskinned BMW, the agreement ends in 2026, so it will also become a Toyota based vehicle if it continues.

There was a rumor a while back that Toyota was going to use a shortened IS platform for the GR86 replacement; if they do, that would significantly reduce the R&D costs for it; similarly it could be the basis for the new Supra as well.

As long as they can share parts & platforms across different vehicles, they should be fine; most of their money is made on the CUVs anyways.

MR2 - 2-seat coupe/targa/convertible with a transverse I3T at the rear axle, RWD - least likely to me honestly, unless it's an EV, or significantly different from the other models.
Supra - 2-seat Coupe/targa with a longitudinal front-mid mounted I4T, RWD
GR86 - 2+2 coupe with longitudinal I3T up front, RWD.
GR Celica - 2+2 coupe with transverse I3T up front, AWD based on the GRC with a coupe body (possibly I4T in lower state of tune that the Supra).
GR Corolla - 4 seat hatchback with transverse I3T up front, AWD.

Admittedly, I do not see all five of those existing in the same model year.
I think it's more likely that Lexus versions co-exist, like a revived first gen Lexus SC as the RC replacement - essentially, the Lexus 2+2 GT version of the Supra.

Lexus has that CUV version of the GRC, I wonder how that sold.

If the Celica gets the 400 hp turbo, there’s no need for a Supra.

[Scooby-Doode]

I hope this motor makes its way into the Lexus IS.

[VarmintCong]

Originally Posted by VarmintCong

If the Celica gets the 400 hp turbo, there’s no need for a Supra.

Best Car is now saying the Supra will be a 500 hp hybrid.

[VarmintCong]

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

Five performance cars existing at the same time does sound difficult to maintain, at least from a profitability standpoint, however, Toyota is the current largest auto manufacturer in the world.

The GR86 is a reskinned Subaru, it's continued existence hinges more on the agreement with Subaru, rumor is that the next gen is a Toyota based vehicle if it continues.

Similarly, the Supra is a reskinned BMW, the agreement ends in 2026, so it will also become a Toyota based vehicle if it continues.

There was a rumor a while back that Toyota was going to use a shortened IS platform for the GR86 replacement; if they do, that would significantly reduce the R&D costs for it; similarly it could be the basis for the new Supra as well.

As long as they can share parts & platforms across different vehicles, they should be fine; most of their money is made on the CUVs anyways.

MR2 - 2-seat coupe/targa/convertible with a transverse I3T at the rear axle, RWD - least likely to me honestly, unless it's an EV, or significantly different from the other models.
Supra - 2-seat Coupe/targa with a longitudinal front-mid mounted I4T, RWD
GR86 - 2+2 coupe with longitudinal I3T up front, RWD.
GR Celica - 2+2 coupe with transverse I3T up front, AWD based on the GRC with a coupe body (possibly I4T in lower state of tune that the Supra).
GR Corolla - 4 seat hatchback with transverse I3T up front, AWD.

Admittedly, I do not see all five of those existing in the same model year.
I think it's more likely that Lexus versions co-exist, like a revived first gen Lexus SC as the RC replacement - essentially, the Lexus 2+2 GT version of the Supra.

Lexus has that CUV version of the GRC, I wonder how that sold.

I don’t think the Lexus LBX RR is out yet, supposed to go to Australia this year. It’s Yaris sized and based on the GRY.

I’ve seen LBXs in Taiwan, they look sharp, but smaller than a Corolla.

[Brock31]

Camry GR Wagon with 6sp.

[VarmintCong]

Originally Posted by Brock31

Camry GR Wagon with 6sp.

So a wagon version of the V6 Lotus Emira?

[Sid03SVT]

Originally Posted by Brock31

Camry GR Wagon with 6sp.

Originally Posted by VarmintCong

So a wagon version of the V6 Lotus Emira?

IS wagon renders still haunt my dreams

[Scooby-Doode]

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

IS wagon renders still haunt my dreams

FLOCK So want!!

[Russ_G93]

I thought I saw somewhere that the new Corolla was to be more "Wagon-like."

All info comes from that Japanese magazine that has been pretty correct on the "look" of newer models coming out of Japan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXFmQFYUuAQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXFmQFYUuAQ

[VarmintCong]

Originally Posted by Russ_G93

I thought I saw somewhere that the new Corolla was to be more "Wagon-like."

All info comes from that Japanese magazine that has been pretty correct on the "look" of newer models coming out of Japan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXFmQFYUuAQ

Best Car says 3 variants, sedan, hatch and wagon. We'll probably get the wagon only in Corolla Cross form. Hopefully we get the hatch again, and hopefully it'll be a real hatch bodystyle, not the gimped current version that doesn't look good and isn't practical.