Yes. Toyota’s powertrain chief Takashi Uehara confirmed the company is developing a fresh twin turbo V8 engine. It’s part of a larger family of modular gasoline engines that includes the recently introduced 1.5 liter and 2.0 liter units. While those smaller engines are aimed at efficiency and platform flexibility, the V8 is designed for high performance.

Interestingly, the new V8 shares some roots with the turbocharged 2.0 liter G20E engine from the GR Yaris M concept, which targets over 400 horsepower. But with double the cylinders and turbos, this V8 promises much more power and will serve as the heart of Toyota’s upcoming GT3 inspired road car set to premiere this December.

Toyota’s new V8 will be hybrid, but not the plug in kind. Uehara clarified that while the powertrain will include electric assistance, it’s built with performance as the top priority. That makes it similar in philosophy to the hybrid setups used in Le Mans race cars rather than fuel saving daily drivers.

More interestingly, Lexus will also get its own version of this V8. Uehara hinted the luxury brand's Sport Concept coupe, recently confirmed as a hybrid, will use the same engine with a different character. While Toyota might go for aggressive and track ready tuning, Lexus will likely get a smoother and more refined version suited to grand touring.

Absolutely. Toyota isn’t alone in keeping the V8 dream alive. Mercedes AMG is working on a new V8, and even the V12 is staying for now in certain models. BMW is updating its V8 to meet stricter emissions rules, and Porsche plans to keep V8 power alive through the next decade.

With Toyota’s new V8 heading to both a GR supercar and a Lexus hybrid coupe, it’s clear this engine is meant for more than just one low volume halo car. Expect it to show up in racing versions, possibly under GT3 regulations, and in production models that keep performance and emotion at the center of the driving experience.