Toyota actively tests the new MR2 on Japanese racetracks
Toyota is actively working on creating an all-new MR2. To refine the technologies for the future model, the company is using the Japanese Super Taikyu endurance series. The exact launch date is not yet known, but it is known that the MR2 will not arrive alone. It is expected to be accompanied by a new Celica, which, together with the Supra and GR GT, will form a lineup of four Toyota sports cars.
Engineering challenges and racing experience
Developing the mid-engine layout took a long time. Toyota spent over 18 months solving technical issues. The original MR2 also had an engine in the middle but was known for its tendency to snap oversteer. This time, engineers aim to make the handling sharp but safe.
A special version of the GR Yaris called the Concept M is helping bring the MR2 to life. Over the past year, it has participated in several races, including at Fuji Speedway, where it qualified second and completed 473 laps. Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda noted that motorsport is an important testing ground for all of the brand’s sports cars.
“If we don’t take on the challenge [of ourselves in motorsport], we might not fail, but if we take on the challenge, we might fail,” said Toyoda. “If we had decided to create such a car in a meeting, it would never have existed.”
Powertrain and transmission
Underpinning the Concept M and the new MR2 is a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the G20E. It is expected to replace the 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine from the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. In its base version, it will produce around 400 hp, and in the racing variant, up to 500 hp.
Thanks to intensive testing of the Concept M, Toyota concluded that combining a mid-engine layout with all-wheel drive is best for achieving high dynamic performance. GR engineer Naohiko Saito noted:
“This layout is new to us, but during initial tests, we found that the combination of all-wheel drive and a mid-engine layout provides the best foundation for high-performance driving.”
The engine will be mounted transversely and will likely be paired with the eight-speed automatic transmission already used in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla.
Design and future of the model
Since Toyota has not yet started testing MR2 prototypes with a production body, the exact exterior appearance remains unknown. However, based on preliminary data, it will be very similar to the 2023 FT-Se concept. The car is expected to have dimensions similar to the Lotus Emira but with sharper angles and a more aggressive design.
At the end of 2025, Toyota filed trademark applications for GR MR2 and GR MR-S in Japan, and a few days later, in Australia. This suggests that the model’s revival is imminent.
Thus, the new MR2 will not just be a nod to the past, but a technologically complex car using advanced solutions proven in real racing conditions. The combination of a mid-engine layout with all-wheel drive and a powerful turbo engine promises to make it one of the most interesting sports cars of its time. The departure from the classic rear-wheel-drive layout, which once created handling problems, signals Toyota’s desire to make the car not only fast but also accessible to a wider range of drivers. The revival of the Celica alongside the MR2 indicates the Japanese automaker’s serious intent to strengthen its position in the sports car segment, offering customers diverse options ranging from a front-engine coupe to a mid-engine supercar.