Is the Toyota MR2 Finally Returning? New Prototype Caught on Track

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Toyota could beryllium preparing thing adjacent much breathtaking than the GR GT conception unveiled precocious past year. The Japanese shaper has repeatedly hinted astatine a aboriginal mid-engined show car, and a recently spotted prototype astatine Fuji Speedway has lone added substance to the speculation.

A sharp-eyed lensman captured the mysterious trial car circulating the Toyota-owned circuit, the precise aforesaid venue wherever the GR GT3 prototype was archetypal seen investigating astir 2 years earlier its authoritative reveal.

Prototype Wears Familiar Styling Cues

Although the prototype has proportions that instantly bring the iconic MR2 to mind, it is inactive unclear precisely what sits beneath the bodywork. The compact signifier leaves country for either a beforehand oregon mid-mounted engine, but respective plan details suggest this could beryllium overmuch much than a modular roadworthy car.

A wide rear track, fixed broadside windows and a ample swan-neck rear helping constituent towards a race-focused improvement conveyance alternatively than a production-ready sports car.

Interestingly, Toyota appears to person borrowed components from existing models to velocity up development. The headlights and taillights lucifer those recovered connected the GR Yaris, portion the wheels look precise akin to the iconic Volk TE37 design. The A-pillar besides appears to stock its illustration with the Lexus LC, reinforcing the thought that this is an engineering mule assembled utilizing disposable parts.

Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Appears the Most Likely Choice

A abbreviated video recorded trackside offers different intriguing clue. While the audio is not crystal clear, the motor enactment sounds much similar a turbocharged four-cylinder than a larger people aspirated unit.

That aligns with Toyota’s ongoing improvement of its caller high-output turbocharged four-cylinder engine, archetypal showcased successful the experimental mid-engined GR Yaris prototype implicit a twelvemonth ago. Of course, determination remains the anticipation that the trial car is moving a heavy revised mentation of the acquainted three-cylinder motor recovered successful today’s GR Yaris and GR Corolla.

A New MR2 Still Looks Increasingly Likely

This latest sighting joins a increasing database of hints that Toyota is superior astir reviving the tone of the MR2.

Earlier this year, the institution teased a instrumentality to the mid-engined sports car conception earlier revealing a customised kei motortruck instead, leaving enthusiasts disappointed. Shortly afterwards, Toyota executives confirmed that a genuine mid-engined sports car is nether development, though they besides warned that bringing specified a exemplary to marketplace could inactive instrumentality arsenic agelong arsenic 5 years.

While thing has been officially confirmed, the prototype seen investigating astatine Fuji Speedway suggests improvement is progressing down the scenes. Whether it yet wears the legendary MR2 badge oregon arrives nether a wholly caller name, Toyota’s aboriginal show car surely looks similar 1 worthy waiting for.

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