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Toyota has debuted a surprise mid-engined GR Yaris – powered by its next-generation turbo engine – that throws fuel on the fire of an MR2 comeback.
Toyota has given its strongest indication yet it is working on a revival of the MR2 sports car, with the unveiling of a mid-engined prototype based on the GR Yaris hot hatch.
The 'M Concept' unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon car show replaces the front-mounted 1.6-litre turbo three-cylinder engine with an example of Toyota's next-generation 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder, mounted behind the rear seats.
Toyota says the car is intended to "pursue even greater potential for the GR Yaris," and will be entered into Super Taikyu races in Japan to test the engine's durability.
But the company has long been rumoured to be working on a new MR2 coupe, as part of a new range of sports cars that could include a reborn Celica, and next-generation hybrid versions of the Supra and GR86.
"That's our hope," a Toyota Japan executive on stage – believed to be Gazoo Racing president Tomoya Takahashi – said when if the GR Yaris prototype will spawn a road car under a different name.
"We can all imagine various things at this moment. There's no official announcement yet."
Limited details of the M Concept have been published, but it is fitted is Toyota's next-generation 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Developed to offer improved performance and efficiency compared to existing units, the new 2.0-litre 'G20E' engine is expected to eventually succeed the 2.4-litre turbo motor in current Toyota models.
It is reportedly also destined for the brand's future performance cars. Only one engine in Toyota's current line-up uses the G prefix – the G16E-GTS in the GR Yaris – suggesting it stands for the brand's Gazoo Racing performance arm.
The M Concept places the engine just ahead of the rear axle, and close to the car's centre of gravity, Toyota engineers and racing drivers said during the presentation.
While the standard GR Yaris is all-wheel drive, it was hinted the prototype may be rear-wheel drive.
"In order to pursue even greater potential for the GR Yaris, the team will compete in the S-Taikyu with the "GR Yaris M Concept," a midship-mounted, in-line 2.0L turbo engine currently under development," Toyota Gazoo Racing said in a media release.
"In the extreme environment of a race, the team will repeatedly "break and fix" the car, putting into practice "driver-first car-making" that reflects feedback from Morizo, professional drivers, and gentleman drivers."
Morizo is the racing pseudonym of Toyota president Akio Toyoda.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
