The mythical fourth-generation Toyota MR2 is a rumour as old as time. Ever since production of the ZZW30 ended in 2007 we have been teased with numerous reports of a new affordable, mid-engined sports car from one of the world’s biggest carmakers – none of which have come to fruition.
More recently, however, the company has been making moves that hint that a new MR2 might just be happening after all. After years of speculation of an electric successor, Toyota showed off the FT-Se concept at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show (JMS) in Tokyo, seemingly presaging a production two-seat, zero-emission sports coupé.
Now, a report from Japan’s Best Car suggests that development of the car is progressing nicely – but with a catch. Instead of the previously-mooted electric motors and simulated manual transmission, the car is now set to feature a new performance-oriented 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The mill is part of a partnership with Subaru and Mazda on the joint development of next-generation internal combustion engines. Toyota has already released a few details of the power plant, one of two next-generation engines that also include a more frugal 1.5 litre unit.
Designed with electrification in mind, the new engine is set to replace the T24A-FTS 2.4 litre Dynamic Force turbo first seen in the latest second-generation Lexus NX. It’s 10% smaller, and thanks to a shorter stroke, it’s also 10% shorter in height.
This not only gives it a lower centre of gravity but also allows the car it’s packaged in to be lower, reducing aerodynamic drag. Despite the decrease in size, Toyota is claiming a dramatic increase in power, allowing it to be used in trucks, other heavy-duty vehicles and, of course, sports cars.
No output figures have been released but the aforementioned report suggests that the mill (differentiated by its red cam cover, hinting at its performance bent) is being built with a target of 400 PS and 550 Nm – putting it around the ballpark of Mercedes-AMG’s record-setting M139 engine found in the 45-series cars and the plug-in hybrid C63S E Performance. Those figures are more than enough for a small sports car, with or without electrification.
Allied to this is the running gear from the GR Yaris and GR Corolla, consisting of either a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed GR Direct Automatic Transmission, plus the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system with variable torque split.
That’s some serious hardware, which would turn the next MR2 into a junior supercar, tackling cars like the Porsche 911. According to the report, the car will go on sale in 2026, priced at 10 million yen (RM285,300).
GALLERY: Toyota FT-Se concept at Japan Mobility Show 2023
GALLERY: Toyota next-generation 2.0 litre turbo engine
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