The legendary fourth-generation Toyota MR2 is a hearsay as outdated as time. Ever since manufacturing of the ZZW30 led to 2007 we’ve been teased with quite a few experiences of a brand new inexpensive, mid-engined sports activities automotive from one of many world’s greatest carmakers – none of which have come to fruition.
Extra lately, nonetheless, the corporate has been making strikes that trace {that a} new MR2 would possibly simply be occurring in any case. After years of hypothesis of an electrical successor, Toyota confirmed off the FT-Se idea on the 2023 Japan Mobility Present (JMS) in Tokyo, seemingly presaging a manufacturing two-seat, zero-emission sports activities coupé.
Now, a report from Japan’s Greatest Automobile means that improvement of the automotive is progressing properly – however with a catch. As a substitute of the previously-mooted electrical motors and simulated guide transmission, the automotive is now set to function a brand new performance-oriented 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The mill is a part of a partnership with Subaru and Mazda on the joint improvement of next-generation inside combustion engines. Toyota has already launched a number of particulars of the facility plant, considered one of two next-generation engines that additionally embody a extra frugal 1.5 litre unit.
Designed with electrification in thoughts, the brand new engine is about to exchange the T24A-FTS 2.4 litre Dynamic Power turbo first seen within the newest second-generation Lexus NX. It’s 10% smaller, and due to a shorter stroke, it’s additionally 10% shorter in peak.
This not solely offers it a decrease centre of gravity but additionally permits the automotive it’s packaged in to be decrease, decreasing aerodynamic drag. Regardless of the lower in dimension, Toyota is claiming a dramatic improve in energy, permitting it for use in vehicles, different heavy-duty autos and, after all, sports activities vehicles.
No output figures have been launched however the aforementioned report means that the mill (differentiated by its purple cam cowl, hinting at its efficiency bent) is being constructed with a goal of 400 PS and 550 Nm – placing it across the ballpark of Mercedes-AMG’s record-setting M139 engine discovered within the 45-series vehicles and the plug-in hybrid C63S E Efficiency. These figures are greater than sufficient for a small sports activities automotive, with or with out electrification.
Allied to that is the working gear from the GR Yaris and GR Corolla, consisting of both a six-speed guide gearbox or an eight-speed GR Direct Automated Transmission, plus the GR-4 all-wheel-drive system with variable torque break up.
That’s some severe {hardware}, which might flip the subsequent MR2 right into a junior supercar, tackling vehicles just like the Porsche 911. In response to the report, the automotive will go on sale in 2026, priced at 10 million yen (RM285,300).
GALLERY: Toyota FT-Se idea at Japan Mobility Present 2023
GALLERY: Toyota next-generation 2.0 litre turbo engine
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