Toyota could take a new direction with its next-generation GR86 by replacing the current Subaru-developed boxer engine with an in-house 2.0-liter inline-four. A concept car undergoing testing in Japan is equipped with Toyota’s G20E engine, suggesting the automaker is exploring a new powertrain for its lightweight sports car while potentially preserving its naturally aspirated character.
Toyota is developing a new family of inline-four engines as part of its broader plans to expand its role as an engine supplier. Although the new engines have been downsized to meet stricter emissions regulations, turbocharging and hybrid technology remain possible options for maintaining performance.
Toyota GR86 Concept Tests a New 2.0-Liter Engine
The engine being tested in the GR86 concept is the 2.0-liter inline-four known by the codename G20E. The concept reportedly runs without a turbocharger, a decision that could preserve the naturally aspirated approach used by the GT86 and the current GR86.
The existing GR86 uses a 2.4-liter boxer engine developed by Subaru, which also supplies the same engine for the BRZ. Moving to Toyota’s own inline-four would represent a significant change for the sports car’s powertrain.
Kazuya Oshima, who is responsible for developing the concept, highlighted the benefits of operating without forced induction. According to his comments, a naturally aspirated engine can deliver power more predictably and linearly, while eliminating turbocharger hardware can also help reduce weight.
Could the New GR86 Lose Horsepower?
The G20E engine reportedly produces around 220 horsepower in its current configuration, approximately eight horsepower less than the Subaru-sourced engine in the existing GR86. That difference could raise questions about whether the next-generation model would deliver a meaningful performance improvement.
Engine output can decrease when a vehicle undergoes a major redesign, as illustrated by the Land Cruiser’s transition from a V8 to a 2.4-liter i-Force Max powertrain. However, power has historically been a concern for the GR86’s predecessor, the GT86, which produced around 200 horsepower.
The current GR86 addressed those concerns by adopting an updated boxer engine with a larger 2.4-liter displacement. If Toyota uses the G20E in its present form for the next-generation model, the change could appear to be a step backward in terms of horsepower, at least on paper.
Ultimately, the engine’s performance will depend on how it feels behind the wheel. Horsepower figures alone will not determine whether the new powertrain delivers the driving experience expected from the GR86.
New Engine Could Change GR86 Handling
Beyond engine output, Toyota will need to consider how a switch from a boxer engine to an inline-four affects the GR86’s handling characteristics. Boxer engines help lower a vehicle’s center of gravity, so changing the engine layout could alter one of the factors that defines the current car’s driving behavior.
Packaging and chassis development are also important considerations. The concept reportedly uses double-wishbone suspension at both the front and rear, rather than the MacPherson struts fitted to the front of the production GR86.
These changes suggest that Toyota is examining more than just a different engine. The concept’s suspension layout and powertrain configuration could indicate a broader approach to developing the next-generation sports car, although the final production specifications remain unclear.
Toyota Could Gain More Control Over GR86 Development
Using an in-house inline-four engine could give Toyota greater control over the GR86’s powertrain development. The current model relies on a Subaru-developed boxer engine, which is also used in the BRZ.
A move to Toyota’s own engine would change that arrangement, potentially allowing the automaker to take a more direct role in shaping the sports car’s powertrain. However, Toyota has not confirmed that the G20E will be used in the production model.
When Will the Next-Generation Toyota GR86 Arrive?
Toyota has not announced when the next-generation GR86 will be introduced. The current generation debuted in 2021, nearly a decade after the first-generation GT86 arrived.
Comments from Oshima indicate that maintaining the model’s lightweight characteristics remains important. That focus would preserve a defining feature of the GR86 in a sports car segment that also includes the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Subaru BRZ.
For now, the G20E-powered concept offers a look at one possible direction for the next GR86. Whether Toyota adopts the naturally aspirated inline-four, and how it balances power, weight and handling, remains to be confirmed.
