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There have been numerous reports from Japan regarding Toyota’s upcoming GR Celica and the supposed rebirth of the MR-2. Interestingly, the new GR Celica is said to be a mid-engine sports car, which led us to believe there will not be an MR-2 revival. But this may not be the end of it. Amidst the official debut of Toyota’s GR GT, alongside the track-only GR GT3 and LFA Concept, we learned that Toyota has trademarked two familiar names - GR MR2 for Japan and GR MR-S for Australia. This could mean a few things.
Toyota is going to revive both models
At first glance, this may seem like the most logical conclusion, especially considering that back in late 2024, Toyota also trademarked the MR2 name for North America. This would mean that both the GR Celica and GR MR2 would co-exist. The real question is, where will the MR2 slot in Toyota’s lineup?
Related story: We Now Have A Good Idea Of The Toyota GR Celica's Price, And It Will Spell Trouble For A Lot Of Sports Cars
Toyota may be oversaturating its performance car lineup
Toyota’s performance car lineup seems to be expanding in all directions. We know the next-generation GR86 will be the brand’s entry-level sports car, followed by the GR Celica above it, and GR Supra after it, while the recently-unveiled GR GT will serve as Toyota’s flagship sports car. While not yet confirmed, I think I have a good idea of where the GR MR2 could slot.
Related story: I Was Right About The Toyota Supra's Future: Toyota GR Supra Goes Hybrid, Ditches BMW Partnership
An entry-level Toyota mid-engine sports car
It may be possible, after all, that the FT-Se concept seen back in 2021, along with many others, could preview the next-generation Toyota GR MR2. We still don’t have official data on how the GR Celica would look (let alone the GR MR2), but one of the two will be inspired by the FT-Se, based on how some of the other concepts transitioned to production models like the Toyota Tacoma and the upcoming Land Cruiser FJ.
With all that being said, there is a good possibility that Toyota will give us, not one, but two mid-engine sports cars. The GR Celica will have the unenviable task of measuring up to the Chevrolet C8 Corvette, but the GR MR2 is still a wild card.
If it slots between the GR86 and GR Celica, the new MR2 could receive the GR Corolla’s three-cylinder as early reports suggested. If Toyota positions it further up the “food chain”, it will likely get the new G20E, 2.0-liter turbo-four.
But hear me out!
What if Toyota slots the GR MR2 under the GE GT and gives it the same 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 hybrid? That’s just a personal reverie at this point, but it would be nice, wouldn’t it?
Season 2 of Toyota’s GRIP anime hints at the next iteration of the model
Toyota’s GRIP anime aired in February 2024, and in the first episode of Season 2, it hinted at the GR M2. In the episode, there was a list of upcoming Toyota models:
- "Supra Mk6"
- "Celica Mk8"
- "MR2 Mk4"
- "GR86 Mk3"
- "GR GT3"
Toyota loves giving us easter eggs, so the GR MR2 name being on that list isn’t coincidental. That, or Toyota’s marketing team may be taking the… You know what I mean.
The least exciting scenario
The reality is that when a car company trademarks a name, it doesn’t always lead to a production model. Sometimes, carmakers do "defensive trademarking”, so other companies don’t get the rights to a name.
One thing is certain: Toyota has plans in store for the MR2 and MR-S names, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a new iteration of the iconic sports car. What do you want the next-generation Toyota MR2 to be? Do you think it will be electric? Or do you think that it will be a V-8-powered sports car? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota and Nissan are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image source: Toyota FT-Se Concept
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