After unveiling a mid-engined GR Yaris at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2025, Toyota and its motorsports arm, Toyota Gazoo Racing, is admitting to some difficulty in bringing the concept to fruition.
To recall, Toyota created the GR Yaris M Concept which features an under-development 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged powerplant codenamed the G20E. This new engine, which is rumored to power everything from a MR2 to a Celica revival, is meant to push the performance and efficiency of a small displacement four-pot.
While Toyota hasn’t given performance details, the G20E is rumored to produce 400-450 horsepower for road-going applications and up to 600 horsepower in racing applications. Either way, Toyota has confirmed that vehicles that use this new engine will benefit from better weight distribution and a lower center of gravity.
Before it’s plopped into any road-going vehicle, Toyota wanted to test the G20E in the GR Yaris M Concept. However, those plans will have to change as the carmaker identified “difficulties” in making the mid-engined powertrain work on the racetrack.
Per Toyota:
While many challenges have been identified and improvements are ongoing, there are difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving, and Toyota has therefore decided not to participate with this vehicle at [Super Taikyu] Autopolis to refine it further.No word has been given on when Toyota will finally race the GR Yaris M Concept with its G20E powertrain.
There are even rumors that this engine might be coming to the next gen Hilux and Fortuner. Sounds like a very promising engine.
ReplyDeleteYes, it definitely is. Long live the internal combustion engine and manual transmission.
DeleteDid Toyota say it will delay its release or just pull out the GR Yaris M from joining the Super Taikyu Autopolis?
ReplyDeleteThey didn't say if it's a delay or a pull out of the season altogether. Hopefully it'll make an appearance during the latter part of the year.
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