Toyota is quietly developing a mid-engine racer in Japan that looks remarkably like a return of the Toyota MR2 Prototype. According to a report by CARANDDRIVER.COM, the car began as the Yaris M concept. Now it wears full coupe bodywork with massive rear flares.
Toyota MR2 Prototype Hits Super Taikyu
Still, this is no museum piece. Spotted by CarBuzz, the racer appears to be the tarmac sibling of Toyota’s 2027 WRC concept. Its silhouette is a near match for that rally prototype, which was seen testing in Portugal this past spring.
Toyota’s motorsport discipline has long trickled into its production lineup, much like the 2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD PRO shows off on the trail. Even so, this coupe feels far more purposeful. Its rear flares are clearly functional, not decorative.
| ⚙️Engine / Powertrain | 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-Four (G20) |
| 🐎Power Output | 400 to 450 HP (est.) |
| ⚡Peak Torque | Not disclosed |
| ⏱️0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) | 0-60 mph in 3.2s (est.) |
| 🚀Top Speed | Not disclosed |
| 🔄Drivetrain / Gearbox | Mid-Engine RWD (est.) |
| 💰Starting Price / Est. | Not disclosed (prototype) |
Evolving From Yaris Hatch to MR2
The engine is the real story. Instead of the GR Yaris’s three-cylinder, the racer uses a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four called the G20. Reportedly good for 400 to 450 horsepower, it works out to roughly 200 horsepower per liter. That is a figure that could migrate into a rumored Celica replacing the GR Corolla.
Akio Toyoda, racing under his Morizo name, will share driving duties in Super Taikyu. Former second-generation MR2 Turbo owners have every reason to pay attention. Its F355-on-a-budget spirit is hard to ignore.
Strategic Stakes Behind the Comeback
On paper, a reliable turbo four with that output makes excellent platform economics. In reality, Toyota must prove the G20 can survive endurance racing before it earns a road-going role. Meanwhile, rival automakers are pushing hybrid sports cars into their own segment benchmarks.
No pricing or production commitment exists yet. Ultimately, an enthusiast halo like this could restore Toyota’s performance credibility. Second-generation MR2 Turbo values have climbed steadily, so a production sibling would likely attract strong collector demand. Learn more from Toyota.
The Toyota MR2 Prototype story is far from finished. Whatever the Yaris M evolves into, the mid-engine ambition is clear. Keep up with more industry scoops at Auto News Magazine.
Liam Campbell
Industry Intelligence & News Editor at Auto News Magazine. Tracking prototype spy shots, Nürburgring development mules, automaker corporate moves, and breaking global automotive scoops.
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