Toyota has been making waves with its new V-8 engine, initially designed for supercars. But it seems this high-capacity engine could find its way into more mainstream vehicles beyond high-performance models. The head of the company’s powertrain division recently revealed that it is technically feasible to fit the V-8 engine under the hood of the Land Cruiser (LC300).
This revelation came during an interview with Australian media, where Takashi Uehara mentioned that the V-8 engine block is “somehow close” in size to the new 2.0-liter engine. This new engine designation, G20E, has been undergoing testing in a concept that evolved into the GR Yaris M prototype, where a four-cylinder unit was mounted behind the driver. The high level of modularity among these new engines indicates their potential use across a range of vehicles.
Uehara even suggested that the V-8 engine could be engineered as a diesel engine with a full hybrid setup. While he did not confirm whether Toyota’s luxury Century brand would adopt any version of this new powertrain, it would make sense given its flagship status. The V-8 being referred to is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo unit that essentially combines two 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines. This engine is expected to feature in the upcoming Lexus Sport Coupe and the forthcoming Toyota “GR GT,” set to debut soon.
In explaining the choice of V-8 engines, Uehara emphasized the need to meet maximum power requirements while considering maximum RPM and combustion chamber design. While the exact power figures remain unconfirmed, engineers are aiming for over 400 hp with the new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Reports suggest a V-8 with electric assistance could produce up to 900 hp, but these figures await official confirmation by Toyota, Gazoo Racing (GR), or Lexus.
As for which models could receive the V-8 power, it would make sense for Toyota and other brands to install it in their larger vehicles. Designed with hybridization in mind, this engine will need to comply with increasingly stringent emission standards. The V-8 engine is slated for non-plug-in hybrid models, as clarified by Uehara: “We are not depending on the PHEV system.”
It will be interesting to see if models like the Land Cruiser (LC250, LC300), Sequoia, and Tundra will ultimately benefit from a hybrid V-8 powertrain. On the Lexus side, the GX or LX with eight cylinders would also be promising candidates. Toyota’s goal is clearly to achieve economies of scale with its new engine, and offering it in something beyond low-volume supercars will undoubtedly make the investment more worthwhile.
