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Back in the golden era of the muscle car V8s, automakers bragged about engines that made one horsepower per cubic inch of displacement. Today, many performance engines nearly double that figure with 100 horsepower per engine liter (61 cubic inches). Here are three legendary Toyota engines producing massive power for their size.

Lexus LF-A

Rumor has it that after Toyota canceled the Supra, it was the company’s master test driver, Hiromu Naruse, who convinced VP and heir Akio Toyoda to develop a new front-engine, RWD sports car. How? By teaching Akio to race and even challenging him to compete in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring under a pseudonym (Gazoo Racing). For Naruse’s trouble, we got the legendary Lexus LF-A.

This front-engine, RWD coupe is powered by a 4.8-liter V10 that churns out an incredible 553 horsepower. Sadly, Lexus only made 500 of these beasts. But the good news is that after just three years in production (2010-2012), Akio Toyoda decided to move the configuration “down-market” with a new sports car.

Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S

Akio Toyoda, company VP stands between two white Toyota sports cars in the Gazoo Racing show room.
Akio Toyoda with Gazoo Racing’s GR86 | TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP via Getty Images

This sports coupe is known by many names. Introduced in 2013, it broke the mold with a two-liter “H4” engine (also known as a boxer layout) rated for 197 to 204 horsepower, depending on trim. And it weighed in under 2,800 pounds. The result was a nimble four-cylinder coupe that could keep up with much larger sports cars.

If you want a front-engine, RWD sports car with Toyota reliability, you’re not going to find a better deal on the used market. Learn more for yourself, take a look at used Toyota GR86 listings near you, or used Subaru BRZ listings near you if a ‘Ru is more your style.

Toyota GR Corolla

The latest offering from Akio Toyoda’s Gazoo Racing division holds the horsepower/liter crown. The 2022-present GR Corolla is a hatchback with a turbocharged I3 engine. Though this mighty little engine is just 1.618 liters, it makes an astounding 300 horsepower.

The GR Corolla puts all this power to the ground through an AWD system with a maximum torque distribution of 30% to the front and 70% to the rear. For two years, it was manual-only, but now Toyota also offers an automatic variant. Interested in this hottest of hatchbacks? Check out used Toyota GR Corolla listings near you, or you can configure a new Toyota GR Corolla.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.