Advertisement

Toyota to use next-generation 1.5L, 2.0L turbo powertrains for hybrid, PHEV, sports car applications

Toyota to use next-generation 1.5L, 2.0L turbo powertrains for hybrid, PHEV, sports car applications

Toyota has been known to be developing its next generation of internal combustion engines, not least the performance-oriented 2.0 litre turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine that is bound for the successor to the MR2, along with a new 1.5 litre engine aimed at hybrid and plug-in hybrid applications.

In a briefing with Asian media practitioners at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 today as attended by our Bahasa Malaysia colleagues at paultan.org, Toyota has offered a more detailed view of its pursuit of multiple pathways towards carbon neutrality, as well as a broader view of its future plans.

According to president of Toyota powertrains Takashi Uehara, both the 1.5 litre and 2.0 litre engines will be the core of Toyota models to emerge in the future. These have been developed to be easily adapted to run on various energy sources or carbon-neutral fuels, for use in different markets, Uehara said in reference to the use of alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ethanol.

Click to enlarge

Toyota’s aforementioned “multipathway approach” towards powertrains is to decarbonise internal combustion engines by making them compatible with various carbon-neutral fuels, such as e-fuels (synthetic fuels), biofuels and liquid hydrogen.

The 1.5 litre engine being developed is capable of producing in the region of 70 kW (95 PS) and 120 Nm of torque, in a configuration similar to that of the existing Atkinson-cycle ICEs currently on the market, according to Uehara. This can be paired with an e-motor with round 30 kW (41 PS) to form a hybrid powertrain with a combined output of around 100 kW (136 PS), and this may also incorporate turbocharging.

Meanwhile, the 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine is being developed with greater focus on performance, and is capable of outputs in excess of 400 PS and 500 Nm. This engine is destined for future Toyota sportscar and performance-focused models, such as the GR Yaris M Concept that likely serves as a development mule for the MR2 successor.

Depending on market, these two engines will form the basis of powertrains for the needs of future Toyota models, through varying levels of electrification and performance emphasis.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

Renew your car insurance with us

Compare prices between different insurer providers to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services. Many payment method supported and you can pay with instalment using Atome, Grab PayLater or Shopee SPayLater.

Renew Car Insurance

Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Aimannnnn on Oct 31, 2025 at 6:32 pm

    Judging by what UMW had done with current E210 Corolla series and XG10 Corolla Cross and Perodua Vios. Oppss I mean Toyota Vios. We might getting this kind of engine in next 1 or 2 decades.

    They might milking us with 1.5 2NR-VE and 1.8 ZR-FE for other decades in the name of reliability.

    Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
  • Bob Mal on Oct 31, 2025 at 7:40 pm

    While we are still waiting for the 1.5L Dynamic Force Engine or even the 2.0L for the mainstream sedan which was released since 2018 world wide however we are still stuck with Dual VVTi engine which was first used for decadesssss.

    Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • toyyoda usebrain on Nov 01, 2025 at 11:31 am

    same same old old. ended up their landcruiser still using ancient 2.7 petrol engine and corolla using 1.8 vvti from stoneage.

    Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
 

Add a comment

required

required


 
 
 
 
 
 
Related PaulTan.org Content: Featured: Featured | Reviews: Reviews | Electric: Electric | Tech | 2025 | Malaysia: Malaysia