The Future Toyota GR Corolla May Get a New Engine
According to rumors, the next generation of the Toyota GR Corolla sports hatchback may lose its three-cylinder engine. Instead, the car may receive a turbocharged four-cylinder unit, whose power will increase by approximately 33 percent. The same engine will likely be installed in future GR Celica and Supra models.
Advantages of the New Power Unit
The current turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine produces 300 horsepower, which is a fairly high figure for such a compact engine. However, according to new reports, Toyota plans to replace it with a four-cylinder unit that will add another 100 horsepower to the car’s total power.
This step is quite logical, considering Toyota’s development of a new engine family. Some models have already officially confirmed the use of these units, while others, such as the new generation Celica and Supra, are still awaiting announcement.
Technical Features and Advantages
At the Japan Mobility Show 2025, Toyota presented the concept of the new Corolla along with a family of new engines. Among them is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which would be perfectly suited for the next generation GR Corolla.
Toyota’s powertrain chief Takashi Uehara stated that the 2.0-liter engine can produce “up to 400 horsepower,” offering better refinement and lower production costs compared to the current three-cylinder engine.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Uehara also mentioned the difficulties associated with the three-cylinder engine. Engineers had to use special dampers and other measures to control vibrations, which increased the cost and complexity of production. The new four-cylinder engine was designed with compactness and efficiency in mind without such compromises.
The Future of Toyota’s Sports Models
The transition to a more traditional four-cylinder engine seems increasingly likely. Toyota remains a mainstream manufacturer, and the GR Corolla is a special car that didn’t have an obvious necessity for creation but became a successful project.
This raises the question of whether Toyota will even release the next generation of this model. Fortunately, all signs point to a positive answer. Company executives have confirmed their commitment to developing sports models with internal combustion engines under the leadership of Akio Toyoda.
Chief Technology Officer Hiroki Nakajima stated that Toyota “must produce engines until the very end,” even if it means using carbon-neutral fuel.
These changes in the powertrain could significantly change the character of the car, making it more powerful and possibly more affordable due to reduced production costs. Although the three-cylinder engine became a kind of hallmark of the current model, the transition to a four-cylinder unit opens up new opportunities for the development of not only the GR Corolla but also other sports models of the brand. Technological progress combined with maintaining commitment to traditional engines indicates Toyota’s balanced approach to the future of the automotive industry.