Toyota is currently at the discussion stage for a revival of the MR2 nameplate, albeit possibly as an electric model, Autocar reports. The MR2 is a favoured potential addition to Toyota’s future product plans, Toyota’s Europe vice president of sales and marketing Matt Harrison told the magazine.
The Japanese automaker’s ‘Three Brothers’ were referenced, a term favoured by Toyota chief Akio Toyoda for the trio of sports cars – Supra, Celica and the MR2 – he would like to see return to the market; the Celica is represented in the modern day by the 86.
With the Supra due for launch very soon, this leaves the MR2 still to come, and Toyota had previously hinted at a smaller front-engined concept in the form of the S-FR, which was inspired by the S800 coupe of 1965, the report said.
An alternative could be to engage in a platform-sharing joint venture with another manufacturer to build a relatively cost-effective mid-engined car, which could be either a conventional petrol, petrol-electric hybrid or a pure electric model, Autocar said.
The EV option is deemed most cost-effective and easily packaged which could open the option of enlisting the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), which has been designed to accommodate electric powertrains. Configured thus, the battery could reside below the floor for a low centre of gravity, while the electric motor could be situated behind the car’s seats, in the spirit of the mid-engined layout.
The compact sports car layout may give less consideration to battery range, while a relatively low-cost, lightweight electric sports car could be marketed as an eco-friendly, short distance commuter. Should the MR2 successor get the green light, it is unlikely to emerge before the early 2020s, Autocar reported, though battery and EV technology will have generally improved by then, it noted.
The Japanese automaker giant should also have a number of fully electric models either already on the market or well into development by then, while company chief Toyoda is keen for the automaker to continue in the direction of “affordable, simple and fun- to-drive” cars among its zero-emission products. Toyoda referenced the original Mini as “the kind of car we should all dream of making.”
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Wow, what a great looking car. In the 90s we had so many MR2s and Celica in Malaysia because it was so affordable then. There were quite a number of Supra Supreme also on our roads.
Then our previous corrupted Government raised car prices so much until such cars are unaffordable now in Malaysia
Supra Supreme? Whats dat? A new Dominoes pizza? More fake news from someone born after 2000?
Anything is possible. That’s what I read from the tittle
Just do a google search and you can find news on Toyota Supra Supreme.
If you just eat and sleep whole day, you only think about pizza and foods
This is why I only employ students from ATC or Brickfields College in my law firm. They think better.
poor john kena bamboo cause dont know how to think
If only you know how to research you will know there was a Toyota Supra Supreme. Lack of research skills
Evvvv
like Honda CRZ hybridised the ikonic CRX.
yeah… I belive with the new gov, car prices will go down so that every rakyat can afford a sport car :)
Bad news. At least for now and the near future. In case anyone still has questions. Batteries are heavy.
And heavy does not a good sports car make.
Other than the SLS EV and the original Elise based Tesla, not many electric sports cars to be found, especially lightweight ones. Even the Elise based Tesla was anywhere from 300 to 400kg heavier than the petrol powered Elise. That’s a lot of weight…especially when the petrol versions start at about 850kg.
Don’t think battery tech is going to improve that much in 2 years.