Hopes of a mid-engine sports car comeback for Toyota have been in the air for a while now, and when the automaker filed a trademark for the GR MR2 name last year, it was hard not to get excited. But still, nothing concrete had been announced—until now. Tomoya Takahashi, the Toyota Gazoo Racing president, has finally confirmed that a new mid-engine sports car is on its way. The news comes around two decades after the MR2 exited the U.S. market, but unfortunately, it’s still going to be a bit of a wait before the new sports car hits the production line.
New Sports Car In Early Development Stage
Toyota G20E engine
According to an interview with Automotive News, Takahashi said series production of the mid-engine sports car is still years away. The car, which is still unnamed at this stage, is currently in the first of four development stages. Therefore, it could take up to five years before the production version is ready.
Powering it will be a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that was already put to use in the GR Yaris M Concept introduced late last year. Compatible with front-engine layouts too, the new engine will be more powerful than the 2.4-liter turbo-four Toyota already produces. This engine, known as the G20E, is capable of producing over 600 hp, but we don’t expect the new sports car to be quite as powerful as that. Designed to meet upcoming Euro 7 emission regulations, the new engine will likely be hybridized, too.
“If we are going to mount this engine on many different vehicles, it’s almost mandatory to be able to combine it with hybrid technology,” said Takahashi.
The small, lithe MR2 only made 138 hp when it went out of production, and if this new car is a similar size, it wouldn’t need crazy power to be quick. Still, we can expect it to be far more potent than the old MR2. Unlike the rear-wheel-drive MR2, the new sports car is expected to use all-wheel drive.
Advantages Of The Rare, Mid-Engined Sports Car
2000 Toyota MR2
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Mid-engined sports cars are rare, with the most notable current examples being the Chevrolet Corvette C8, Porsche 718 Boxster, and Porsche 718 Cayman. Beyond that are true exotics from the likes of McLaren and Ferrari.
At under $30,000, the MR2 gave enthusiasts access to a mid-engined sports car without a sky-high price, bringing with it all the advantages of such a configuration. By placing an engine in the middle of a car, the weight distribution is centralized, helping to lower the car’s center of gravity and improve handling and traction. Such a layout also allows the design of a lower, more aerodynamic frontal area.
The disadvantage, of course, is in packaging. Mid-engine cars often have small interiors and minimal cargo space, not that this is a dealbreaker in a dedicated sports car.
Related: Toyota’s Gazoo Racing Is Now a Standalone Brand
Why It Matters
Toyota’s Gazoo Racing is now a standalone brand, and it’s clear the Japanese giant wants to take it to new heights, just as it’s doing with the Century ultra-luxury brand. More practical GR models like the GR Corolla have broadened the performance brand’s appeal, but Toyota is increasingly focusing on more exclusive models. The flagship GR GT is one of those, and the new mid-engine sports car is another. Both show Toyota’s commitment to producing driver-focused cars well into the electrification era.
