The President of Toyota warned about a surprise with a centrally located engine for the auto show. It turned out to be two modified kei cars, not the anticipated revival of the MR2 model. The concept from the GR division, lifted for off-road use, barely beat its competitor in the voting results.
A Masterful Trick with a Riddle
Akio Toyoda successfully caught everyone off guard with his ominous announcement before the Tokyo Auto Salon. The President of Toyota announced that he had purchased a car with a centrally located engine and two seats for customization and display. This naturally sparked rumors of an MR2 comeback. In reality, he meant a rugged little kei car. A masterful move.
Technically, it fits Toyoda’s description, but the end result is far from the sleek GR-branded coupe that fans were hoping for.
The mysterious car is based on the Daihatsu Hijet Truck — a cab-over kei car with a naturally mid-engine layout and two seats, as required by such a design.
A Parental Squabble Between Brands
Toyoda, known for racing under the name “Morizo,” didn’t just buy a standard Daihatsu Hijet. Instead, he engaged both Gazoo Racing and Daihatsu to each create their own wild version of the little truck. Visitors to the Tokyo Auto Salon were invited to vote for their favorite variant. Toyoda described this confrontation as a “parental squabble,” which was a not-so-subtle hint at the relationship dynamics between Toyota and Daihatsu.
The Gazoo Racing creation was named the Toyota GR Hijet Morizo K-Trail. Daihatsu responded with the Hijet Jumbo Star Climber. These are unique concepts never intended for mass production. And only Morizo will get to take the winning truck home.
The GR Hijet Prepares for Off-Road
The GR-branded truck is built to conquer dirt roads. It sits on oversized wheels and has a suspension with increased ride height. It uses GR 86 dampers at the front, and the compact 660cc engine received a turbocharger for more power.
Beyond the mechanical upgrades and large wheels, the GR Hijet has a completely redesigned front end, borrowing design cues for the grille and bumper from the Land Cruiser Series 300. It retained the standard halogen headlights but added an extra row of lights on the roof.
Other modifications include a protective bull bar at the front, tubular doors, side-exit exhaust pipes from the hot GR Corolla hatchback, and its own rear roll bar. Finally, the team installed four independent bucket seats on the compact commercial vehicle (two of them placed on the rear tailgate), allowing more people to enjoy a ride with Morizo at the wheel.
A Competitor for Work and Rescue
Moving to the other contender, the Daihatsu Hijet Jumbo Star Climber is built for work, fun, and rescue operations. It’s painted in a special green shade that changes color depending on the lighting and has a range of accessories.
The cabin is transformed: a tubular frame replaced the windshield and roof, turning it into an open-top vehicle. A large front bull bar with an integrated skid plate is connected to roof rails, which house six LED spotlights.
The rear tailgate has a matching “kangaroo bar” and a lockable cargo box for storing track pads. Daihatsu didn’t demonstrate them in action, but it can be assumed they are meant for mounting on the rear axle when conditions become truly challenging.
The Hijet Star Climber rides on 16-inch wheels wrapped in rugged Yokohama Geolandar tires. It is four inches taller thanks to a lift kit and has extended plastic fenders, fully LED lighting, and a snorkel feeding air to the turbocharged 660cc engine, which remains mid-mounted.
The interior features two Bride bucket seats equipped with four-point Sabelt safety harnesses, aluminum pedals, and a custom short-throw gear shifter.
Voting Results and Other Exhibits
Both concepts attracted significant attention at the auto show, and the final vote was tense. The Toyota GR Hijet Morizo K-Trail won by a margin of just 59 points, receiving 3,579 votes against the Star Climber’s 3,520.
Of course, the special Morizo-themed versions were not the only Hijets at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon. Daihatsu also showcased the Hijet Truck Panel Van Extend3 concept and the chrome-rich PTO Dump Truck Daihatsumei on its stand.
This story perfectly illustrates how even within a corporate structure, healthy competition and experimentation are possible, entertaining the public and fueling brand interest. The focus on niche, non-production concepts based on commercial vehicles shows the willingness of Japanese automakers to play with formats and highlight engineering prowess beyond the regular model lineup. Such events not only keep auto shows vibrant but also demonstrate the deep connection of the company’s leadership with car culture and enthusiasts.