Power density is a crucial metric in automotive engineering, though one that isn’t as popular as outright power output. Simply put, power density is the amount of horsepower an engine produces relative to its displacement, measured in horsepower per liter. While larger engines always generate immense power, Toyota has taken a different approach with its tiny yet extraordinarily powerful engine. We’re talking about the Toyota G16E-GTS engine, which stands out as the most power-dense engine ever built by the Japanese automaker.
Instead of making a behemoth with multiple cylinders and massive displacement, Toyota made a compact, three-cylinder engine that produces an impressive amount of power, far exceeding what one would expect from such a small unit. Here, we’ll discuss the specifics of the Toyota G16E-GTS engine, explore its applications in Toyota’s rally-bred GR sports cars, and discuss its various iterations. We will also touch on the engine’s versatility, including its ability to run on a different fuel type.
The information included in this article came from the manufacturer’s website, including the Toyota engine facts and figures and previous press releases about the cars.
Toyota G16E-GTS: The Mighty Three-Pot
Toyota
Toyota G16E-GTS Quick Facts
It produces 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque in its most powerful iteration. It has a power density of 187.5 hp per liter. First introduced in 2020 in the Toyota GR Yaris. Produced at Toyota’s Motomachi Plant in Japan.
The Toyota G16E-GTS is a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. Using only three cylinders in straight configuration, it has a power density of 187.5 hp per liter, holding the title for the most power-dense Toyota road car engine. To put that into perspective, this specific output surpasses even the legendary 3S-GTE engine, which produced 128 hp per liter used in the ST246 Caldina GT-Four, a car that itself was revered for its performance credentials. It’s also more power-dense than the 2JZ-GTE (109 hp/l) and the 4.8-liter NA V10 in the Lexus LFA, which has a specific output of 115 hp.
The G16E-GTS engine’s extraordinary power density is achieved through a combination of advanced technologies, including direct fuel injection, a single-scroll turbocharger, and a compact intercooler – all optimized to extract maximum power from every drop of fuel. The engine’s lightweight design and compact dimensions further contribute to its high power output, making it an ideal choice for high-performance applications, while also boasting durability and reliability, hallmarks of Toyota’s engineering philosophy.
Used In Toyota’s Rally-Bred GR Sports Cars
G16E-GTS Specs (2025 Toyota GR Corolla)
Displacement
1.6-Liter Turbocharged Inline-3
Horsepower
300 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque
295 lb-ft
Transmission
6-Speed Manual / 8-Speed GR Direct Automatic
The G16E-GTS engine has found its home in Toyota’s most exciting and dynamic vehicles – the GR Yaris and the GR Corolla. Both of these cars have their roots in rallying, where power, agility, and durability are paramount. It’s worth noting that the GR Yaris is an actual homologation special, while the GR Corolla is merely an offshoot of the result. The latest versions of these GR sports cars have taken the already impressive performance of the G16E-GTS engine to new heights.
First introduced for the North American market, the GR Corolla has received updates that further refine its performance credentials for the MY2025. The latest version not only features more torque but also benefits from a new 8-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, which is now more intelligent than ever while enhancing the car’s drivability. Apart from cosmetic updates, suspension and other chassis enhancements are also added to improve the hot hatch’s on-track performance.
The latest iteration of the GR Yaris has also been given a power boost. This facelifted version of the GR Yaris also now comes with the same automatic transmission and torque upgrade. Then again, like its pre-facelift version, the GR Yaris has remained a forbidden fruit for American enthusiasts, which brings us to the relatively better alternative.
Toyota didn’t limit the usage of its tiny wonder on its GR sports cars. Introduced earlier this year, the Japanese marque’s luxury division, Lexus, also got hold of the G16E-GTS engine in the top-spec LBX Morizo RR. It was initially introduced as a concept, but was later confirmed for production with the same power output of the GR Corolla.
The Most Potent Version You Can Buy
While the standard versions of the GR Yaris and GR Corolla are already impressive, Toyota decided to take things a step further with the GR Corolla Morizo Edition. Named after Toyota’s president and CEO, Akio Toyoda (whose racing pseudonym is Morizo), this special edition is the most powerful version of the GR Corolla. Unfortunately, the Morizo Edition was only available in extremely limited numbers, which brings us to the Circuit Edition.
Toyota has yet to start selling the 2025 GR Corolla, so the most potent version of the G16E-GTS engine in the US that you can buy right now would be found in the Circuit Edition, which makes 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. It currently has a starting price of $45,140 (sans destination charges), and comes exclusively in either Blue Flame or Ice Cap paint colors with 18-inch forged-aluminum BBS wheels.
It Can Also Run On Hydrogen
In addition to its gasoline-powered applications, the G16E-GTS engine has also been adapted to run on hydrogen. The hydrogen-powered G16E-GTS was used in a Toyota Corolla race car competing in the Super Taikyu Series (S-Tai), a motorsport event focused on carbon-neutral competition. It’s also introduced in the hydrogen-powered Corolla Cross H2 Concept.
Hydrogen combustion engines, like the one adapted from the G16E-GTS, produce power by burning hydrogen in the presence of oxygen, much like a traditional gasoline engine. However, the key difference is that the only byproduct of this combustion process is water vapor, making it a zero-emissions alternative to gasoline engines. Toyota has been refining this technology, focusing on maintaining the familiar sound and sensation of a traditional internal combustion engine while eliminating the carbon footprint.
We saw the hydrogen powered GR Corolla in action at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, and you’d never be able to tell the difference listening to it.
And Tuners Love It, Too
The G16E-GTS’s compact size and robust construction have also captured the imagination of the tuning community, with enthusiasts and aftermarket specialists alike recognizing its potential for tuning, and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. Some tuners have focused on the aesthetic aspects of the GR Corolla and GR Yaris, offering design enhancements and visual upgrades that complement the cars’ aggressive performance.
Others have taken a more technical approach, working on chassis improvements and suspension upgrades that make the GR Yaris and GR Corolla even more capable on the track. Toyota Gazoo Racing division and various JDM tuning houses have developed upgrades that enhance the handling and responsiveness of these cars. But the real magic happens under the hood, where tuners have explored the full potential of the G16E-GTS engine. Some were able to extract up to 740 hp from the tiny three-pot mill, while HKS have been working on engine upgrades that incorporate Formula 1-inspired components.