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Motor 1
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Toyota Hypes New Four-Cylinder Engine: '600 HP Is Easily Possible'
It's been over a year since Toyota announced a new family of four-cylinder combustion engines , to be offered in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged flavors. These upcoming gas engines, planned with displacements of 1.5 liters and 2.0 liters, are said to be smaller and lighter. While efficiency is the primary goal, performance won't be overlooked. The larger of the two engines is getting the Gazoo Racing treatment, already previewed in the GR Yaris M concept. The wild mid-engine hot hatch took us by surprise when it debuted as a concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January. Sporting the new 'G20E' engine mounted above the rear axle, the pocket rocket featured an IHI turbocharger, pushing output to around 400-450 hp. However, German magazine Auto Motor und Sport has now learned from Toyota engineers that there's potential for much more: 'With a larger turbocharger, more than 600 hp is easily possible.' That would be more than double what the 'G16E-GTS' produces in the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and Lexus LBX Morizo RR with their turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine. However, while 600+ hp is technically achievable with a larger turbo, Toyota will likely run into a major obstacle: stricter regulations. It may (and probably will) be forced to detune the 'G20E' to reduce CO₂ emissions. However, even an output starting with a '4,' let alone a '5,' would be impressive. In race car applications, an uncorked version could fully exploit the engine's potential. Expect to see the new four-cylinder engine to power many performance cars, as the 2.0-liter is being engineered for both longitudinal and transverse installations. It can sit at the front or rear, making it a possible backbone for Gazoo Racing's future lineup. Toyota has teased a potential return of the Celica and/or MR2, while also promising that the Supra will live on beyond the current generation. A next-gen GR86 could also be a natural fit, assuming it's in development. Toyota told Auto Motor und Sport that it's been testing the 'G20E' in the GR Yaris M for some time. However, we recall sharing a video featuring a Lexus IS prototype over a year ago. The stripped-down sedan was fitted with one of the new engines and sounded highly promising , possibly featuring the most exciting member of the new four-cylinder lineup. At the time, Toyota's engine boss Takashi Uehara hyped the 'totally new engine' as being intended for 'car lovers who expect a little something extra.' Interestingly, one Toyota engineer strongly suggested the 'G20E' will be highly tunable (2JZ redux?): 'We left enough space between the cylinders so that the engine can be bored out considerably.' Another engineer claimed the Yaris M's 'performance is incredible,' adding that the hot hatch's wheelbase had to be slightly extended to accommodate the engine mounted behind the driver. It's worth noting that Toyota's new four-cylinder family is part of a broader initiative alongside two other Japanese automakers to extend the life of combustion engines . Mazda is developing rotary engines as range extenders, while Subaru continues refining its boxer engine. Hybridization is a shared objective, but the trio is also exploring carbon-neutral fuels like liquid hydrogen, biofuel, and synthetic fuel. Beating a dead horse? Toyota doesn't think so. In early 2024, Chairman Akio Toyoda said he doesn't believe EVs will ever exceed a 30% market share. However, a recent International Energy Agency (IEA) study found that over 20% of new cars sold last year worldwide didn't have a combustion engine. Additionally, BloombergNEF projects EV sales will increase by 25% in 2025. That report also predicts nearly two-thirds of global EV demand this year will come from China, followed by Europe at 17% and the United States at 7%. Toyota Is Not Giving Up On Combustion Engines: Toyota Chairman Says a Sports Car Must Have a Gas Engine Toyota Will Make Fun Cars for a 'Long, Long Time' Source: Auto Motor and Sport Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Auto Blog
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Corvette ZR1 Could Smash AMG ONE Nürburgring Record, Claims Engineer
ZR1 Backed To Beat Nürburgring Record The Nürburgring's Nordschleife is still the golden standard by which performance cars are often judged. Setting a time below 7 minutes is a feat reserved only for the most focused of performance cars, and according to ex-Corvette engineer Jim Mero, the new ZR1 could blast well past that barrier. In fact, he believes the 1,064-horsepower C8 can beat the lap time set by the Mercedes-AMG One, a record for production cars that was reset on September 23, 2024, with the watch stopping at 6:29.09. According to Mero, using some very sketchy car enthusiast math, the ZR1 could probably do a 6:23 lap. Not-Very-Scientific Sums, But The ZR1 Might Surprise Speaking on the HorsePower Obsessed podcast, Mero suggested that, if the gaps between C8 Corvettes are roughly similar to the gaps between C7 Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR1 variants, which he helped develop, then that scale should mean that the C8 Z06's time of 7:10.52 (set by Auto Motor und Sport's Christian Gebhardt, it must be noted) would translate to a ZR1 lap time of 6:23. 'If I put the C8 Z06 at seven minutes and use a scale factor, I get a 6:23,' he said on the show. He added that he's probably going to 'get into a lot of trouble for that, but it's speculation with some background.' Interestingly, he believes that the AWD, hybridized ZR1X might not set a faster time around the track, citing concerns over how long the electric motor's 186 horsepower would be available during the lap, as well as the question of how any extra weight may impact handling when the battery is depleted. Again, this is pure speculation from somebody who has no hands-on access to the car, and underestimating what the Corvette team has achieved there may be to one's chagrin. We'll Know The ZR1's Nürburgring Time Soon Enough According to CorvetteBlogger, the team behind the ZR1 is preparing to set a lap time very soon, but until it's close to achieving its goals, we doubt we'll hear anything about their own official estimates and expectations. The publication says that the Corvette team has booked a session at the track for some time this month, and if that's true, we can expect YouTubers and trackside photographers to have news for us before the official word is out, just as was the case with the Mustang GTD's sessions at the Nordschleife. Ford's 850-hp GTD set a time of 6:52.072, and you can be absolutely positive that the Corvette team will be aiming to smash that by a long distance with its 1,064 ponies and mid-engine layout, among other tricks. As Ford and Multimatic engineers can attest, the toughest foe to overcome at the Green Hell is typically the weather. Thus, any theoretical lap times may still be impossible to achieve without perfect timing, maximum commitment, and a dash of luck. Hopefully, we'll know the truth within a week, but if the ZR1 does beat (or even come close to) the time set by the $3 million AMG One, it won't matter when we find out – it'll still mean something epic for American performance. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
Miami Herald
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Corvette ZR1 Could Smash AMG ONE Nürburgring Record, Claims Engineer
The Nürburgring's Nordschleife is still the golden standard by which performance cars are often judged. Setting a time below 7 minutes is a feat reserved only for the most focused of performance cars, and according to ex-Corvette engineer Jim Mero, the new ZR1 could blast well past that barrier. In fact, he believes the 1,064-horsepower C8 can beat the lap time set by the Mercedes-AMG One, a record for production cars that was reset on September 23, 2024, with the watch stopping at 6:29.09. According to Mero, using some very sketchy car enthusiast math, the ZR1 could probably do a 6:23 lap. Speaking on the HorsePower Obsessed podcast, Mero suggested that, if the gaps between C8 Corvettes are roughly similar to the gaps between C7 Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR1 variants, which he helped develop, then that scale should mean that the C8 Z06's time of 7:10.52 (set by Auto Motor und Sport's Christian Gebhardt, it must be noted) would translate to a ZR1 lap time of 6:23. "If I put the C8 Z06 at seven minutes and use a scale factor, I get a 6:23," he said on the show. He added that he's probably going to "get into a lot of trouble for that, but it's speculation with some background." Interestingly, he believes that the AWD, hybridized ZR1X might not set a faster time around the track, citing concerns over how long the electric motor's 186 horsepower would be available during the lap, as well as the question of how any extra weight may impact handling when the battery is depleted. Again, this is pure speculation from somebody who has no hands-on access to the car, and underestimating what the Corvette team has achieved there may be to one's chagrin. According to CorvetteBlogger, the team behind the ZR1 is preparing to set a lap time very soon, but until it's close to achieving its goals, we doubt we'll hear anything about their own official estimates and expectations. The publication says that the Corvette team has booked a session at the track for some time this month, and if that's true, we can expect YouTubers and trackside photographers to have news for us before the official word is out, just as was the case with the Mustang GTD's sessions at the Nordschleife. Ford's 850-hp GTD set a time of 6:52.072, and you can be absolutely positive that the Corvette team will be aiming to smash that by a long distance with its 1,064 ponies and mid-engine layout, among other tricks. As Ford and Multimatic engineers can attest, the toughest foe to overcome at the Green Hell is typically the weather. Thus, any theoretical lap times may still be impossible to achieve without perfect timing, maximum commitment, and a dash of luck. Hopefully, we'll know the truth within a week, but if the ZR1 does beat (or even come close to) the time set by the $3 million AMG One, it won't matter when we find out - it'll still mean something epic for American performance. Related: This $760,000 Mercedes 190E Restomod is Coming For Supercars at the Nurburgring Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Alfa Romeo scores triple win at Best Cars Awards 2025
Alfa Romeo has added another feather to its cap, picking up three major honours in the latest Auto Motor und Sport's Best Cars readers' poll. Looking for a new or used Alfa Romeo? Find it here with CARmag! The awards were handed out during the 836th anniversary celebrations of the Port of Hamburg, where the Italian brand's current line-up took centre stage at the city's historic Fish Auction Hall. The Giulia, Tonale and Stelvio each topped their respective categories in the long-running survey, which drew votes from more than 94 000 readers. The Giulia was named the best Midsize Import car, marking the eighth time it's claimed the title. The Tonale, Alfa Romeo's first compact SUV, won in the Compact SUV/Off-road Vehicle Import category, while the Stelvio came out on top in the Large SUV/Off-road Vehicle Import segment. Simonetta Cerruti, head of Alfa Romeo Enlarged Europe, accepted the awards in person. She credited the brand's continued success to the strong emotional connection fans have with Alfa Romeo, as well as the brand's commitment to blending Italian design with dynamic driving characteristics. This year's Best Cars awards featured 462 candidates across 13 categories, including a dedicated group for imported models. Alfa Romeo's clean sweep in the SUV and midsize segments signals strong support from German car enthusiasts, especially notable in a market dominated by domestic manufacturers. Related: Next-Gen Alfa Romeo Stelvio Rendered as Svelte SUV The award ceremony was timed to coincide with the start of Hamburg's Port Anniversary festival. All three winning models were on display throughout the weekend, giving an estimated 1.5 million visitors a closer look at the Italian brand's design and engineering. While the Italian marque has faced stiff competition in recent years, particularly in the growing SUV market, this recognition shows that the brand's distinct approach continues to resonate. With a reputation for sporty performance and bold styling, the Giulia, Tonale and Stelvio each represent a different slice of the Alfa Romeo experience, yet all share the same core identity that the company has cultivated over more than a century. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles with CARmag! The post Alfa Romeo Scores Triple Win at Best Cars Awards 2025 appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Motor 1
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Volkswagen Could Launch an Electric GTI Next Year
Volkswagen entered the electric hot hatch niche about a year ago with the launch of the ID.3 GTX. However, it's now apparently working on an even spicier version carrying a far more iconic badge: GTI. Much like Porsche's electric Turbo models lack actual turbochargers, the ID.3 Grand Touring Injection will obviously not have fuel injectors. And while traditional GTIs are front-wheel drive, the ID.3 GTI will be rear-wheel drive. So much for tradition. A new report from German magazine Auto Motor und Sport claims that the inaugural electric GTI will receive a modest power bump over the GTX. It's believed the zero-emissions GTI will deliver 335 hp, or just 13 hp more than the current flagship version. Rumor has it VW's engineers are planning significant updates to the chassis, steering, and suspension to make the ID.3 GTI more engaging to drive than the GTX. According to AMS , the electric GTI wasn't part of the original plan. However, VW is now purportedly giving the ID.3 a second facelift to extend its life cycle. The reasoning behind this decision reportedly stems from the delay of its successor, the ninth-generation, electric-only Golf. Now due near the end of the decade, the Golf Mk9's postponement means the aging ID.3 will stick around longer than expected. Indeed, the ID.3 debuted back in 2019 and received an update in 2023. To keep the EV competitive, a second, more comprehensive facelift is allegedly set for 2026, coinciding with the launch of the hotter GTI version. This update will reportedly bring the ID.3's design and tech more in line with the smaller ID.2. Speaking of which, the ID.2 GTI concept (pictured below) previewed VW's first electric car with a GTI badge. However, it appears the larger ID.3 GTI will beat it to market. The standard ID.2 is scheduled to go on sale next year in Germany with a base price around €25,000, but the GTI version will, of course, cost more. As for the ID.3 GTI, expect it to carry a premium over the current GTX, which starts at just over €47,000 at home in Deutschland. Volkswagen ID. GTI Concept 44 Several other models have already received the GTX treatment in Europe. The ID.7 and ID.7 Tourer have performance variants , and even the ID. Buzz GTX minivan. It remains unclear whether the GTX branding will eventually be phased out in favor of the GTI name for potent EVs or if it will continue as a more affordable alternative. We'll have to wait and see if VW will also put an R badge on its electric cars. If it's determined to launch an EV GTI, possibly with a new GTI logo where the "I" makes way for a lightning bolt, it likely doesn't have a problem introducing an EV R some years from now. Catch Up With VW: Volkswagen Is Making Less Money Because It's Selling More EVs Volkswagen Could Give Ford More Reskinned Cars Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Auto Motor and Sport Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
