With a larger turbo, upgraded cams, and a sequential gearbox, this three-cylinder is built to perform

The GR Yaris and GR Corolla stand out in the tuning world as the first truly all-new tuner cars since the original Subaru BRZ. While only the Corolla made it to the U.S., both share Toyota’s turbocharged G16E-GTS three-cylinder engine—an absolute gem in the aftermarket scene. How much potential does it have? Enough for a GR Yaris to push a staggering 740 horsepower on a stock engine block.
This powerhouse belongs to Peter Freedman, founder of RØDE Microphones, and was built by Australian tuning shop Powertune. It features a larger Garrett G25-550 turbocharger, an X-Shift six-speed sequential transmission, Kelford cams and valvetrain, and a range of supporting mods to ensure proper airflow and fueling. Despite all these upgrades, the bottom end remains untouched.
Hitting 740 horsepower on a stock bottom end is some serious 2JZ-level magic from a tiny 1.6-liter three-cylinder. But there’s a reason it can handle such power: Toyota overbuilt this engine. It boasts thick cylinder walls, a rigid bedplate-style block that keeps the forged crankshaft and rods locked in place, and massive intake runners to feed the cylinders. The GR Yaris and Corolla weren’t just hot hatches—they were engineered with durability in mind.
The car doesn’t always run at full 740-hp output, which likely requires race fuel or E85. According to a video by DriftSquid on YouTube, it makes 400 horsepower on pump gas—a massive difference. The conservative pump-gas tune likely helps preserve longevity, while better fuel unlocks its full potential. When an engine is this small, fuel quality makes all the difference.
Regardless of how long it holds together, the fact that a stock-bottom-end 1.6-liter can hit 740 horsepower at all is beyond impressive.