Return of a Legend? Toyota's New Sports Cars Hint at Mid-Engine MR2 Comeback

A new Toyota MR2 may be on the horizon thanks to Toyota’s new boss stating sports cars and the GR range remain a core part of the lineup.

The Toyota GR range is one of the most exciting in the sports and performance car world right now. The line-up includes models such as the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and GR Supra plus the GR86.

Despite the GR family already looking good, Toyota’s new CEO Koji Sato has suggested that more GR sports cars will be coming in the future, as reported by Autocar. What this might mean is a return of the Toyota MR2, a car which we last saw in 2007.

Rumors have flown about what form a new MR2 might take, with a potential electric version on the horizon. But the addition of new cars to the Toyota GR range is very exciting in itself, as Toyota looks to keep sports cars firmly on the map. This is great in an automotive world that is changing rapidly.

Toyota’s Sports Car Fanatic CEO Wants To Expand The GR Family2023 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition Burnout Wide FrontToyota

The report from Autocar includes quotes from Sato, and he is keen to keep sports cars firmly part of the Toyota range. He said that “The Gazoo brand will be acknowledged for the future – and maybe we can even speed it up.” Sato took over as CEO and president of Toyota from Akio Toyoda, who has now become the chairman. Toyoda is a sports car fanatic himself, and Sato has suggested he will now have more time to develop dominating sports cars for the Gazoo Racing range.

The GR range already includes some spectacular cars. The GR Corolla is the latest to arrive in the lineup. While firm favorites like the GR86, Supra, and Yaris continue to shine forth. The GR Supra recently received a manual transmission, showing Toyota still has some love for the endangered clutch pedal.

This is also something that has been highlighted by the fact the 2024 Tacoma pickup will have a manual transmission too. But an expanded GR range may even see the MR2 make its return. And there are plenty of rumors flying around regarding what will lie under the hood of the new MR2.

Rumors have flown for at least a year about what form a new MR2 may take. Some of those that came from Japan suggested that a 138 hp engine will feature under the hood. And that it will get paired with a hybrid powertrain for more performance. Potentially, the total power output could be around the same as the GR86. There are rumors of Lotus becoming a partner for the next generation of the MR2, with a design based on the electric sports car concept from 2021.

This would see a 3.0-liter hybrid drivetrain under the hood of the new sports car. But we also know that the electric concept suggests the new MR2 will sport electric power if it does indeed come to fruition. The concept did sport the GR emblem, suggesting that a new two-seater sports car is coming to the GR range at some point. The question is whether this is an all-electric or hybrid MR2. But the GR range is the perfect arena to slot in a new MR2 regardless of what lies under the hood for the sports car.

What Makes The Toyota GR Line-Up Of Sports Cars Cool?2021-Toyota-GR-YarisToyota

Sports cars are a rarer breed than they once were. So to see Toyota’s range still full of them and other performance cars is incredibly refreshing. Arguably, the GR range is the strongest performance car range of any manufacturer at the moment. The GR Yaris is a world-acclaimed hot hatch that defies all expectations, while the GR86 is equally satisfying.

The GR Supra has grown into itself and become hugely respectable. And the addition of a manual transmission means gearheads can have even more fun. Manuals clearly have life left in them. It is remarkable to think that the GR range may yet grow stronger. We must not forget the GR Corolla, another hot hatch that has lapped up the plaudits since its unveiling. Even if the new MR2 is electric, there is still a lot to get excited about with it.

Why Should Toyota Make A New GR MR2?Electric Toyota MR2 Concept Front Quarter View MockupToyota

While the rumors continue to fly, we live in the hope that we will get a brand-new Toyota MR2 at some point. The rumors would suggest that something is stirring within Toyota regarding a new MR2. And it certainly helps if your new boss is a big fan of sports cars.

Gearheads, of course, would prefer at least hybrid power. But an electric MR2 would be a fascinating glimpse into the future of sports cars as a whole. If it looks like the 2021 concept as well, it will be a very dramatic addition to the GR range, adding further to its strength.