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Toyota MR2: reportedly working on mid-engined sports car with Suzuki and Daihatsu

 

With a turbocharged Suzuki engine and using Yaris-derived suspension, it’s all pointing towards a revival of the iconic MR2 nameplate


Following years of speculation, it seems that Toyota is closer than ever to bringing a spiritual successor to the MR2 to market. 

It has been over almost two decades since Toyota ceased production of the much-loved MR2 sports car, and given the brand’s recent fondness for high-performance GR products, things are looking hopeful for a revival. 

If Toyota was to bring back a small sports car with an engine in its midriff, it’d likely face competition from the likes of the Mazda MX-5 and Toyota’s own GR86

2022 Toyota concept range
Toyota previously display a range of future concepts, including the the mid-engined sports car

News of Toyota working on a mid-engined sports car has come from the Japanese publication BestCar, which is a magazine known for getting the scoop on local projects. 

According to the report, three Japanese manufacturers are working on a small, mid-engined Toyota sports car. 

As to who the two other manufacturers still remains a mystery officially, but the BestCar report points to Daihatsu and Suzuki as pitching in on the project.

2022 Toyota sports car concept
Suzuki power and Daihatsu styling will reportedly come together in the new MR2

It’s believed that this Mazda MX-5-rivalling sports car will be powered by a Suzuki-sourced 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine.

Front suspension is said to be adapted from the Toyota Yaris and the yet-to-be-revealed model will reportedly take styling cues from the Daihatsu Copen.  

BestCar also claims that the sports car will weigh just 1000kg, giving it a kerb weight similar to that of an entry-level MX5. 

As for its other dimensions, it’s said to be just 4.2-metres long, and 1.5-metres high, meaning that the cabin wouldn’t have a heap of passenger space. 

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