Ever since the A90 Toyota Supra was announced, enthusiasts have tirelessly speculated the return of the legendary “Three Brothers.” With the 86 (successor to the Celica) and Supra out of the way, the final piece of the puzzle would be the MR2.
There have been contradicting reports over the MR2. Toyota Europe’s vice president, Matt Harrison said the project wasn’t a top priority, but acknowledged of its importance in the automaker’s future product line-up. Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota Motor Corporation, has also publicly expressed his desire to renew the trio. Even the chief engineer for the 86 and Supra wants to bring back the MR2, and all eyes are on Porsche. That’s right.
According to Japanese site Spyder7, development of the new MR2 has been approved, and Toyota has allegedly approached Porsche and Lotus – two midship sports car specialists – to be its technical partner. This is a similar cost-saving move as the Toyota-Subaru 86 and “BMW Zupra.” As for the design, it will apparently be inspired by the Toyota Alessandro Volta (a 2004 Geneva concept, pictured below).
In terms of powertrain, the publication suggests that the new MR2 will be a plug-in hybrid car that’s powered by a 2.9 litre or 3.0 litre V6 engine. An electric motor will provide extra juice to bring outputs close to 400 PS.
Of course, nothing is set in stone just yet, so take these reports with a pinch of salt. If you’re wondering about pricing, the new MR2 will supposedly be priced around six million yen in Japan, or roughly RM218k. It is expected to be launched in 2024.
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Co develope with Porsche but with a V6 instead of flat engine???
Chassis comes from Porsche
Engine comes from Lotus
Badge comes from Toyota
Engine comes from Lotus? The current Lotus Elise, Exige & Evora are fitted with Toyota engines, and the next Lotus model, Emira, is to come with 2 engine options, a straight 4 turbo from AMG & a supercharged V6 from Toyota.
Somehow forgot the existence of MR-S? How sadding
MR-S is Japan model name for SW30
The same model is still called MR-2 internationally
MRS looks way different than MR2 and was sold as a successor car model.
another crappy electric hybrid thingy. at least the GT86 is pretty enjoyable.
Can they stop with all this hybrid thingy. It’ll never work! Look at BMW i8, Ferrari LaFerrari, and Porsche Panamera… /s
V6 hybrid? Must be heavy. MR2s are featherweight (except SW20 GT turbo) but this one is probably overweight & bloated.
Probably the weight difference between the previous & the next generation MR2 would be comparable to that between the 1st & 2nd generation Honda NSX.
The 86 isn’t a successor to Celica it never was. It literally is a successor to the AE86 it barely has anything in common with the Celica other than a front engine 4 cylinder