HKS Unleashes Beastly Stroked Toyota GR Corolla Engines - Boosted to Unseen Heights
The Toyota GR Corolla has already cemented itself as a powerhouse in its class, thanks largely to its spirited 1.6-liter G16E-GTS turbo three-cylinder engine. This compact yet mighty engine can push beyond 700 horsepower on stock internals alone, and the potential for aftermarket modifications is tantalizingly high. Enter HKS, one of the most revered names in automotive tuning, which has just announced that it will soon offer GR Corolla crate engines. These aren't just any crate engines though; these are stroked-out, high-performance motors featuring state-of-the-art Formula 1-style ignition technology.
On HKS’s official website, they provide an in-depth look into this ambitious project, detailing the comprehensive modifications they’ve made to create what they call a 'complete engine'. At the heart of these modifications lies a custom crankshaft, meticulously designed to allow the removal of the engine’s balance shaft. This crucial change not only reduces internal friction but also increases the stroke length from 89.7 millimeters to 95.7, promising a significant boost in torque across the rev range. Furthermore, HKS has expanded the cylinder bores by 0.5 mm, bringing the engine’s total displacement to 1,746cc. As enthusiasts love to say, there’s no replacement for displacement, and this modification ensures faster turbo spooling while reducing the compression ratio from 10.5:1 to 10:1, making the engine tolerant of higher boost levels.
But HKS didn't stop there; they've overhauled the internals with premium components to maximize performance. Crowned pistons coated with molybdenum and nickel have been introduced, featuring swirl patterns designed to enhance combustion efficiency. The valve guides and seats have been upgraded to a more conductive phosphor bronze alloy, and any sharp edges within the combustion chamber have been rounded off to eliminate potential hot spots. These upgrades alone would be compelling, but the most groundbreaking change lies in the adoption of Formula 1-inspired pre-chamber ignition technology.
Known as turbulent jet ignition, this cutting-edge system is already employed in some of the most advanced F1 engines and certain high-end production cars like the Maserati. The technology uses a small chamber next to the cylinder to ignite a rich air-fuel mixture, which is then injected into the cylinder in multiple locations where the mixture is leaner. This process ensures a more complete and faster combustion, boosting power output while maintaining fuel efficiency. It's a game-changer that stands to revolutionize the performance characteristics of the GR Corolla.
While HKS hasn’t yet disclosed the specific power figures these engines will produce, they’ve hinted at offering different injector sizes to allow customers to tailor their engines to their desires. The sky appears to be the limit. Given HKS's storied history of pushing the performance envelope, it's not far-fetched to speculate that these enhanced GR Corolla engines could easily break the 1,000 horsepower barrier. If you’re a betting person, now might be the time to place your wager on just how high these figures can go.
The anticipation for these HKS-engineered crate motors is building, promising to deliver an unparalleled combination of cutting-edge technology and raw, unbridled power. As we await more details, one thing is clear: the world of automotive tuning is about to witness something truly extraordinary.