Next-gen Toyota GR86 to get a turbo-hybrid engine?

It looks like Toyota is already busy developing certain aspects of the next-generation GR86.

Despite being launched just a few years ago, Toyota is not resting on its laurels and has supposedly begun work on the sports coupe’s new engine. But unlike the current generation model which makes use of a naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter Boxer, the all-new GR86 will apparently get a turbocharged heart for the next generation.

According to a report by BestCar, the Japanese automaker is reportedly looking at releasing the third generation GR86 sometime in 2025. More importantly, the two-door sports car could get a new powertrain in the form of a 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbo hybrid. With that, it appears Toyota is looking to put an electrified version of its G16E-GTS engine from the GR Yaris and GR Corolla for the rumored next-gen GR 86.

With a turbocharger and a hybrid system assisting, the tiny 1.6-liter inline-three will reportedly produce over 300 PS. Its hybrid system, on the other hand, will supposedly derived from the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser 250 and the Lexus GX which means it will still likely be available with a manual transmission or an automatic gearbox.

This is not the first time Toyota has put a turbocharged inline-three under the hood of the GR86. Back in 2022, Toyota swapped the 2.4-liter Boxer engine on a GR86 with a three-cylinder turbo. While it was not meant for production, the G16E-GTS-powered GR86 was used by Toyota to test carbon-neutral fuels (CNF). And despite reducing engine capacity from 1.6 liters to 1.4 liters, the CNF-powered GR86 still produced more than 300 PS.

With an optimistic goal of having the rumored next-generation GR86 out by 2025, we will be keeping a close eye on the developments and possible leaks that come out regarding the all-new sports coupe. We're also curious if the next-gen Subaru BRZ will also get the rumored three-cylinder turbo hybrid engine in the future.