Toyota's Mid-Engine Dream: Engineering Grit Meets Road Ahead
Unveiling the Vision: A Mid-Engine Marvel Emerges
Earlier this year, the automotive world was captivated when Toyota showcased the GR Yaris M at the Tokyo Auto Salon. While initially presented as a hot hatch, the underlying intent for a production vehicle with a centrally mounted engine points towards a distinct, high-performance coupe, strongly suggesting a modern reinterpretation of the revered MR2. However, the path to bringing this vision to fruition is proving to be more intricate than anticipated.
Navigating Engineering Roadblocks: Braking, Steering, and Dynamics
Toyota has openly acknowledged the substantial engineering challenges inherent in developing a mid-engined vehicle. Specific hurdles have arisen concerning the car's braking, steering, and overall driving characteristics. The GR Yaris M concept was slated for participation in Japan's Super Taikyu Series, an endurance racing platform designed to push vehicles to their limits and identify weaknesses under extreme conditions. Unexpectedly, the car has yet to debut in the series, missing its intended race at the Autopolis track, underscoring the complexities currently being addressed.
Persistence in Progress: Overcoming Design Hurdles
Despite the current setbacks, Toyota maintains a confident stance regarding the project's eventual success. The company asserts that valuable insights are being gained through the development process, with continuous improvements being implemented. The strategy involves extensive racing exposure for the concept, allowing engineers to refine its performance and address any remaining issues before a street-legal variant is introduced to the market. This rigorous testing phase is crucial for ensuring the vehicle meets Toyota's stringent standards for driving excellence.
Powering the Future: The New G20E Engine
Central to Toyota's next generation of performance vehicles is the newly developed 'G20E' engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder power unit featuring an IHI turbocharger. This formidable engine is projected to deliver between 400 and 450 horsepower in its standard configuration, with a more potent version capable of unleashing up to 600 horsepower. The versatility of the G20E is a key asset, as it is being engineered for both longitudinal and transverse applications, accommodating a wide range of front- and mid-engined vehicle layouts within the Toyota and Lexus lineups.
Expanding the Performance Horizon: Beyond the MR2
The implications of this new engine extend beyond the potential MR2 revival. Toyota has also hinted at the return of the Celica nameplate and has affirmed the continuation of the Supra lineage into future generations, devoid of its current BMW collaborations. It is plausible that the G20E engine will serve as a cornerstone for these upcoming models, marking a significant evolution in Toyota's performance vehicle strategy. The future also holds questions regarding the G20E's role in relation to the successful three-cylinder G16E engine, currently powering models like the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and Lexus LBX Morizo RR.
A Glimpse into Tomorrow: Lexus Performance Developments
Adding to the excitement surrounding Toyota's performance division, there are whispers of a road-legal Lexus counterpart to the GR GT3 race car, set to house a powerful V8 engine. This highly anticipated "LFR" vehicle recently made a surprise appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, signaling its imminent arrival and further reinforcing Toyota's commitment to delivering exhilarating driving machines.