Toyota’s GR Yaris M has been making waves since it was unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January. A mid-engine hot hatch in this economic climate? Unbelievable. Although the concept is based on a subcompact hatchback, the production model with its engine behind the seats will have a different shape. Speculations point to the revival of the MR2, but recent developments indicate that this may take longer than anticipated.
The GR Yaris M was supposed to compete in the Super Taikyu Series in Japan, where the car would be “raced to destruction and then repaired in extreme racing conditions.” However, this has yet to come to fruition. Toyota has stated that they are facing unique challenges with the mid-mounted vehicle concerning braking, steering, and handling. They intend to unleash this pocket rocket on the Autopolis track this weekend for the fifth round of the endurance series.
Despite setbacks, Toyota remains confident that the project will pay off after “numerous challenges have been identified and continuous improvements are being made.” Sooner or later, this concept will compete in races throughout Japan before the street-legal production car with a mid-mounted engine enters the market. The GR Yaris M is unlikely to follow in the footsteps of the Renault Clio V6, but a notable outcome is certainly on the horizon.
Toyota has confirmed that the GR Yaris features a newly developed “G20E” engine equipped with an IHI turbocharger. The engine is expected to deliver 400 to 450 horsepower in standard form, with versions running a larger turbocharger estimated to produce 600 hp. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is not limited to a single car due to economies of scale. Engineers are working on applications for both front and mid-engine vehicles. About a year ago, this new engine was heard in a stripped-down Lexus IS prototype and sounded promising for a four-cylinder car.
In addition to the possible MR2 revival, Toyota has hinted at the retirement of the Celica nameplate. They also confirmed that the Supra will continue past this generation, with its successor unlikely to have ties to BMW. Could the G20E engine be destined for all three of these cars? Another puzzle piece is whether this new engine will replace the G16E three-cylinder found in the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and the lesser-known Lexus LBX Morizo RR crossover.
For a powertrain with double the cylinders, the GR GT3 race car will have a road-legal counterpart from Lexus with a large V8 engine, or so the rumors say. The “LFR” made a surprising appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this month, hinting at its imminent arrival.
