Next Toyota GR Corolla Might Ditch Three-Cylinder Engine for Turbo Four-Cylinder
A new report suggests that the next-generation Toyota GR Corolla could lose its signature three-cylinder engine in favor of a more conventional turbocharged four-cylinder.
A new 2.0-liter turbo could spell the end for the GR Corolla’s signature three-cylinder engine
Key Points
- The next Toyota GR Corolla might lose its three-cylinder engine.
- It could gain a turbo four-cylinder engine with 33% more power.
- The same engine might also power future GR Celica and Supra models.
The Toyota GR Corolla has several qualities that make it endearing to petrolheads, including its turbocharged three-cylinder engine. The current engine displaces just 1.6 liters but manages to produce an impressive 300 horsepower.
According to a new report, Toyota is planning to give its hot hatch a heart transplant for the next generation, which will allegedly add a cylinder and 100 horsepower. This move makes sense given the news around the brand’s upcoming four-cylinder turbo engine, which is expected to power a range of future models.
During the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Toyota unveiled more details about its performance future. Alongside a dramatic new Corolla concept came a family of fresh new engines, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that would make a logical choice for the next GR Corolla.
According to Motortrend, Toyota’s powertrain boss, Takashi Uehara, said that the 2.0-liter engine can produce “up to roughly 400 horsepower” while offering better refinement and lower production costs than the three-cylinder currently powering the GR Corolla.
The current three-cylinder engine has its challenges, including vibrations that require special dampers and countermeasures to control. In contrast, the new four-cylinder engine was designed with compact packaging and efficiency in mind, without those tradeoffs.
While some might wonder if Toyota will even build another generation of the GR Corolla, everything points to yes. At the same event, the brand’s executives reaffirmed their commitment to performance and internal combustion under Akio Toyoda’s watchful eye.
Chief Technology Officer Hiroki Nakajima said that Toyota “should manufacture engines until the very end,” even if that means running them on carbon-neutral fuels.
