The electric Toyota FT-Se concept points a way to a future sports car, just not a next-gen MR2, ... [+]
Toyota is planning a sports car revolution that will start in 2025 with the launch of new versions of its GR Supra and GR86. And if that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, Japan’s No. 1 carmaker is also planning to resurrect the popular MR2 sports coupe, a car that went out of production in 2007. From what we are learning, the new model will employ a rather fascinating nod to Ferrari, according to Japan’s Best Car magazine.
There were strong rumors that the fully electric FT-Se sports concept, which debuted at last October’s Japan Mobility Show (JMS), would end up in showrooms after 2025 as the all-new MR2. But the latest news from scoop hunters at Best Car suggest that Toyota will stick with the car’s original mid-engine mounted layout, but employ a powerplant based on the multi-award winning GR Yaris which boasts a rally-bred 3-cylinder, 1.6-liter turbocharged unit that pumps out a hefty 320 hp.
This artist's impression in Japan's Best Car magazine of what the next-gen MR2 could look like shows ... [+]
When the popular second generation MR2 was launched in 1989, it soon picked up a nickname as the “Poor man’s Ferrari” due to its Maranello-like 308 GTB proportions and curves. That model gave way to the third generation variant in 1999 which finally ended production in 2007.
Now, in 2026, Toyota is planning to revive the MR2 with what will arguably be the last internal combustion engine it will ever employ, and yes, it looks like it will be mid-engined too. And not a hybrid. When I saw the rather impressive fully electric FT-Se concept at the JMS last October, I immediately thought—okay here is the next-gen MR2 sitting right in front of me.
But Japan’s biggest-selling car magazine Best Car, who are hardcore scoop seekers, point to a new MR2 that is not powered by electricity but by Toyota’s much lauded 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. And the fact that it will be mid-engined means that designers can go to town with styling cues. So where as the original FT-Se concept car looked more like a tweaked mini Lotus Evora, the actual MR2 concept, according to Best Car, will in stead employ more stylish Ferrari 296 GTB nuances mixed in with some Lotus cues as well.
Reported to land in showrooms in 2026 for over $65,000, the next generation MR2 will be produced by Toyota in-house GRMN studio (Gazoo Racing tuned by Meister of Nurburgring) in limited numbers to add a touch of exclusivity while maintaining the model’s top dollar pricing.
