The Upcoming Toyota Engine Might Lead Tuners to Overlook the Iconic 2JZ | Carscoops

      The new G20E engine from Toyota was initially said to produce 395 hp, but the company has now revealed that it can actually handle much more power.

      The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder has the capability to generate up to 600 hp with a larger turbo.

      Toyota showcased the G20E at the end of the GR Yaris M Concept reveal back in January.

      While the automotive sector is shifting towards electric vehicles, some manufacturers are still heavily investing in internal combustion engines with innovative engineering and ambitious performance goals.

      Although Mercedes is reportedly discontinuing its powerful M139 four-cylinder engine, Toyota is stepping up to fill the gap. The Japanese automaker is developing a new range of engines, and engineers believe the 2.0-liter G20E could potentially produce 592 hp (600 PS), which translates to nearly 300 hp (304 PS) per liter.

      More: Toyota Suggests ‘MR-Something’ Mid-Engine Sports Car Featuring 2.0 Turbo and AWD

      "With a larger turbocharger, achieving over 600 PS is easily feasible," Toyota's technical team informed journalists from the German publication Auto Motor und Sport. This represents a substantial 50 percent increase in power from the claimed 395 hp (400 PS) for the stock G20E, and it can be accomplished without hybrid support.

      Is it Possible? Yes. Is it Practical? That's Still Uncertain

      The report does not clarify whether the resulting engine can meet emissions regulations, which seems to be a significant challenge. Japanese media indicated late last year that the G20E might reach 600 PS, but mentioned that this tuning would be limited to racing scenarios.

      The G20E is part of a new lineup of naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.5- and 2.0-liter engines set to launch in the coming years. This larger engine was first revealed in the GR Yaris M Concept at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon, with some speculating that it could be a testbed for reviving the MR2 roadster. This engine is also expected to find its way into the Celica coupe, which Toyota has hinted at bringing back.

      Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda is known for supporting driving enthusiasts, so we anticipate that both the MR2 and Celica will feature the G20E engine with options for a six-speed manual and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It’s also likely that some buyers will modify their engines, similar to how tuners extracted impressive power from the famed 2JZ straight-6 engine.

      Even if Toyota doesn't release a 600-hp version of the G20E in a production model, the aftermarket industry will certainly make it possible. Toyota engineers have mentioned that the new engine features wide-set bores, providing ample opportunity for increasing its capacity.

      While Toyota has kept many technical aspects of its new internal combustion engine powertrains under wraps until now, it has confirmed that they will be compatible with carbon-neutral fuels, allowing them to remain viable even as countries or states impose bans on traditional gasoline engines.