New mid-engined Toyota MR2 is expected next year

Toyota is working on a new mid-engined two-seater that will likely be the next-gen MR2. It will feature a fresh turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. The GR newbie could be ready as early as next year.

An electric MR2 was originally the idea but now it will probably run with the engine from the GR Yaris M Concept. Both disrobed at the recent Auto Salon.

Toyota GR engineering boss, Naohiko Saito, spoke to AutoExpress at the show. He said “This engine represents the beginning of a new development that will come from motorsport before we put it into production. We always learn lots with this way of working.”

Prototypes of the GR Yaris M Concept will compete in the Japanese Super Taikyu series. Thus, the engine will have been proven on track before taking to the road. 

Expect it to produce somewhere between 224 and 298kW. In a hybrid set-up, however, system power of 373kW may be possible.

In the new sports car the mid-mount motor will sit transversely, married to an eight speed auto. That’s the new unit from GR Yaris, GR Corolla and Lexus LBX Morizo RR.

A steel and aluminium construction for the chassis is possible, to keep weight and costs down.

Expect AWD too. Saito said “We have found in our initial testing that the combination of an all-wheel-drive mid-ship layout is best for high-performance driving”.

It is probable that the production car will be faithful to the look of the FT-Se concept. So cue strong rear haunches, angular surfacing and bodywork that looks to wrap around the engine and chassis.

The engine will draw air in from the front of the car and beneath, avoiding the need for side-mounted air intakes. Expect the rear to mimic that of the concept, with a substantial diffuser and a ducktail spoiler. The cabin will seat two only, and the interior is likely to be driver-focused, with digital interfaces and simple design elements.