According to a report by Motor1, Toyota and Suzuki might actually collaborate to build the successor to the legendary Toyota MR2 sports car, a vehicle we haven't seen since the 3rd generation car (named MR2 Spyder) ended back in 2005. If this rumor proves to be true, it means that Toyota remains committed to building affordable sporty cars just like its excellent GR86. In order to differentiate itself from the GR86 and from the Toyota Supra, the new sports car will supposedly be powered by a smaller displacement 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 120 horsepower. The even more shocking part of it is the rumored pricing that will fall between $16,000 and $20,000.
Back in 2021, Toyota showed off a car called the Sports EV (photo above), and it was rumored to be the next MR2 but with electric power. Now, this rumor that Motor1 reported from a Japanese car magazine seems to say that the new sports car will be an internal combustion engine. It will be light, quick, and will seat only two people, just like the original MR2 and MR2 Spyder. Whether or not it will look anything like the Sports EV remains to be seen. We think it would be a great design to see in production. The proportions are right, as is the short wheelbase and tight proportions.
The original MR2 wasn't exactly a rocket (0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds), but it was light and fun. The MR2's only real match was the Pontiac Fiero. Both cars were uniquely mid-engined, an oddity for the price and definitely more like a Ferrari 308 engine configuration than any front-engined car like the Chevy Camaro, Chevy Corvette, or the Nissan 300ZX.
The second-generation MR2 took on even more of a baby-Ferrari look with smoother lines and less angularity than the gen-1 car, and it offered even more power than before. The car remained mid-engined and rear-wheel drive, and the 2.2-liter four cylinder provided a modest 122 horses while the 2.0-liter turbo delivered 200 horses, a significant bump. The car was highly praised among critics, and it was actually practical to drive on a daily basis.
The MR2 Spyder marked a big change for the MR2 in that it eliminated the hardtop and created a convertible-only model. Also, there was only a single engine option, a naturally-aspirated inline-four delivering 138 horsepower mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The output was on the low side, but the fact that the MR2 Spyder weighed only 2,195 pounds made it supremely fun to toss around. It's too bad that the interior was spartan, cheap, and very tight for tall occupants. It was the last MR2 Toyota ever sold as demand for small sports cars was on the wane.
The new and yet unnamed sports car will also be tremendously light, supposedly not much more than 2,204 pounds, making it lighter than the current Mazda Miata (2,345 pounds), as well as the GR86 sibling (2,838 pounds). This time, the car will be front-engined but still rear-wheel drive. The smaller three-cylinder engine will offer less power (120 versus the MR2 Spyder's 138), returning to the 2nd-gen car's output numbers. It's quite a bit less than its other Toyota siblings, but the power-to-weight ratio, low center of gravity, and tight dimensions should make it super-fun to helm.
Toyota will build the car, and Suzuki is reportedly building the new sports car's engine. Rumor also has it that Toyota will base the car's suspension setup on the current-generation Japan-only Yaris. The car will be short, with a length of 165.3 inches with a 100-inch wheelbase (for reference, the Miata is a bit shorter at 151 inches in length).
Of course, nothing is confirmed yet, and Toyota remains tight-lipped about production. We're sure we'll see a concept that's close to production should they ever get close to making it. The big question after that is whether or not the U.S. market will get such a car. Sports cars (aside from muscle cars) aren't exactly hot, despite the fact that the Miata is successful. The Supra, GR86, and the Nissan Z aren't exactly selling in huge numbers compared to crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks. Let's keep our fingers crossed. In the meantime, whet your appetite with this video.