Latest news with #MR2
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Did Toyota Just Kill All Hope for the Return of an Iconic Mid-Engine Car?
Recent testing difficulties suggest that the Japanese automaker's 'driver-first' development process isn't going according to plan. Ever since Toyota unveiled the FT-Se back in 2023, the rumor mill has been firing on all cylinders about how the concept would be reflected in the automaker's upcoming sports cars. With its sleek shape, two-seater configuration and all-electric powertrain, the design initially seemed like a natural next step for the long-discontinued Toyota MR2. Since that time, Toyota has only continued to muddy the waters. In addition to hinting at the revival of yet another iconic sports car in a potential Celica successor, the automaker has also announced the ongoing development of a mid-engine model through the GR Yaris M Concept. At this stage, Toyota has yet to confirm if a new MR2 is actually on its way. However, due to recent testing difficulties and some previous naming confusion, it's seeming increasingly unlikely that the model will be making a return anytime soon. Hot hatch hiccups When Toyota pulled the wraps off the GR Yaris M at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year, it stated that the concept would compete in the Super Taikyu Series as part of a process it coined 'driver-first' carmaking. In practice, this meant that the test mules would be 'repeatedly driven to failure and then repaired in the extreme conditions of racing' to gauge real-world performance and get feedback from those behind the wheel. Evidently, things aren't quite going according to plan. As part of a recent announcement signaling its entry into the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series, Toyota gave an update on the state of the GR Yaris M development. Due to the 'difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving,' the GR Yaris M will not be participating at this time. Now, it's worth noting that Toyota hasn't pulled the plug on the program just yet. The automaker also announced that 'many challenges have been identified and improvements are ongoing,' so there's still potential that its mid-engine sports car will eventually come to market. Sports car confusion That said, the news doesn't bode well for the MR2's return. The development of a mid-mounted sports car was the most promising aspect of the rumors for a potential successor, especially in light of previous confusion over naming conventions. That's because, even though there has been an abundance of speculation suggesting that both the MR2 and the Celica are due for a revival, a report from Japanese magazine Best Car indicated that the two Toyota sports cars are, in fact, one and the same. After all, it's not like the automaker has been sitting idle. Between the GR86, the GR Yaris, the GR GT3/Lexus LFA successor and the next-generation Supra, Toyota certainly has its hands full. Considering that the Celica has also been confirmed, the addition of a new MR2 would make for quite the crowded sports car lineup. Celica surety While Toyota has remained pretty tight-lipped about the potential return of the MR2, it hasn't shied away from drumming up hype for the Celica. The automaker initially teased the eighth-generation sports car through its in-house animated series Grip, showing a whiteboard littered with iconic nameplates. Granted, a fourth-generation MR2 also made the list, but Toyota has since extended its trademark for the Celica name and filed a trademark for 'GR Celica' to boot. As if that wasn't enough, at the 2024 Rally Japan event, Toyota vice-president Yuki Nakajima reportedly said that 'there are many people within the company who are eagerly awaiting the Celica. So… I wonder if it's okay to say this in a public forum, but we're doing the Celica!' Only time will tell whether the eighth generation arrives as a mid-engine coupe based on the GR Yaris M. As of now, though, all signs suggest that the Celica is the Toyota sports car set to make a return. Even without a concrete timeline, Nakajima's statement amounts to far more of a confirmation than any hearsay related to the MR2.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Did Toyota Just Kill All Hope for the Return of an Iconic Mid-Engine Car?
Recent testing difficulties suggest that the Japanese automaker's 'driver-first' development process isn't going according to plan. Ever since Toyota unveiled the FT-Se back in 2023, the rumor mill has been firing on all cylinders about how the concept would be reflected in the automaker's upcoming sports cars. With its sleek shape, two-seater configuration and all-electric powertrain, the design initially seemed like a natural next step for the long-discontinued Toyota MR2. Since that time, Toyota has only continued to muddy the waters. In addition to hinting at the revival of yet another iconic sports car in a potential Celica successor, the automaker has also announced the ongoing development of a mid-engine model through the GR Yaris M Concept. At this stage, Toyota has yet to confirm if a new MR2 is actually on its way. However, due to recent testing difficulties and some previous naming confusion, it's seeming increasingly unlikely that the model will be making a return anytime soon. Hot hatch hiccups When Toyota pulled the wraps off the GR Yaris M at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year, it stated that the concept would compete in the Super Taikyu Series as part of a process it coined 'driver-first' carmaking. In practice, this meant that the test mules would be 'repeatedly driven to failure and then repaired in the extreme conditions of racing' to gauge real-world performance and get feedback from those behind the wheel. Evidently, things aren't quite going according to plan. As part of a recent announcement signaling its entry into the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series, Toyota gave an update on the state of the GR Yaris M development. Due to the 'difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving,' the GR Yaris M will not be participating at this time. Now, it's worth noting that Toyota hasn't pulled the plug on the program just yet. The automaker also announced that 'many challenges have been identified and improvements are ongoing,' so there's still potential that its mid-engine sports car will eventually come to market. Sports car confusion That said, the news doesn't bode well for the MR2's return. The development of a mid-mounted sports car was the most promising aspect of the rumors for a potential successor, especially in light of previous confusion over naming conventions. That's because, even though there has been an abundance of speculation suggesting that both the MR2 and the Celica are due for a revival, a report from Japanese magazine Best Car indicated that the two Toyota sports cars are, in fact, one and the same. After all, it's not like the automaker has been sitting idle. Between the GR86, the GR Yaris, the GR GT3/Lexus LFA successor and the next-generation Supra, Toyota certainly has its hands full. Considering that the Celica has also been confirmed, the addition of a new MR2 would make for quite the crowded sports car lineup. Celica surety While Toyota has remained pretty tight-lipped about the potential return of the MR2, it hasn't shied away from drumming up hype for the Celica. The automaker initially teased the eighth-generation sports car through its in-house animated series Grip, showing a whiteboard littered with iconic nameplates. Granted, a fourth-generation MR2 also made the list, but Toyota has since extended its trademark for the Celica name and filed a trademark for 'GR Celica' to boot. As if that wasn't enough, at the 2024 Rally Japan event, Toyota vice-president Yuki Nakajima reportedly said that 'there are many people within the company who are eagerly awaiting the Celica. So… I wonder if it's okay to say this in a public forum, but we're doing the Celica!' Only time will tell whether the eighth generation arrives as a mid-engine coupe based on the GR Yaris M. As of now, though, all signs suggest that the Celica is the Toyota sports car set to make a return. Even without a concrete timeline, Nakajima's statement amounts to far more of a confirmation than any hearsay related to the MR2.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Toyota MR2 may be delayed due to 'braking, steering, and driving' difficulties
The return of the Toyota MR2 may be delayed as the company is having troubles sorting out the driving dynamics of its mid-engine Yaris race car. Toyota unveiled the GR Yaris M Concept (top and below) at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon in January, which featured the company's new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mounted behind the rear seats and driving the rear wheels. At the concept's unveiling, the company said the concept would be developed and honed by racing it in the Super Taikyu endurance series. It was hinted the race-bred mid-engine platform might then be used in a production car, widely believed to be the long-awaited successor to the MR2. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Over the weekend, Toyota announced it wouldn't enter the Yaris M in the fifth race of the Super Taikyu series at Autopolis due to "difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving". The automaker said it was still committed to entering the car in future races, but didn't commit to when this might happen. The new 2.0-litre turbo powering the Yaris M is reportedly set to do duty in the upcoming front-wheel drive Celica, as well as the mid-engine MR2. According to Japanese magazine Best Car the engine will make 221kW/400Nm in base spec, and around 294kW/550Nm in performance guise. A racing version of the engine could output as much as 441kW. It's unclear if the delay will impact just the MR2, or the Celica as well. Production of the Celica ended in 2006 as affordable sporty coupes fell out of favour across the world. Although it's now remembered a front-wheel drive model, it wasn't until the fourth generation launched in 1985 it made the switch to the layout. The axe fell on the MR2 in 2007, with the third generation roadster never gaining the sales or the cult status bestowed on the boxy original or the Ferrari-lite successor. MORE: Everything Toyota Yaris Content originally sourced from: The return of the Toyota MR2 may be delayed as the company is having troubles sorting out the driving dynamics of its mid-engine Yaris race car. Toyota unveiled the GR Yaris M Concept (top and below) at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon in January, which featured the company's new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mounted behind the rear seats and driving the rear wheels. At the concept's unveiling, the company said the concept would be developed and honed by racing it in the Super Taikyu endurance series. It was hinted the race-bred mid-engine platform might then be used in a production car, widely believed to be the long-awaited successor to the MR2. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Over the weekend, Toyota announced it wouldn't enter the Yaris M in the fifth race of the Super Taikyu series at Autopolis due to "difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving". The automaker said it was still committed to entering the car in future races, but didn't commit to when this might happen. The new 2.0-litre turbo powering the Yaris M is reportedly set to do duty in the upcoming front-wheel drive Celica, as well as the mid-engine MR2. According to Japanese magazine Best Car the engine will make 221kW/400Nm in base spec, and around 294kW/550Nm in performance guise. A racing version of the engine could output as much as 441kW. It's unclear if the delay will impact just the MR2, or the Celica as well. Production of the Celica ended in 2006 as affordable sporty coupes fell out of favour across the world. Although it's now remembered a front-wheel drive model, it wasn't until the fourth generation launched in 1985 it made the switch to the layout. The axe fell on the MR2 in 2007, with the third generation roadster never gaining the sales or the cult status bestowed on the boxy original or the Ferrari-lite successor. MORE: Everything Toyota Yaris Content originally sourced from: The return of the Toyota MR2 may be delayed as the company is having troubles sorting out the driving dynamics of its mid-engine Yaris race car. Toyota unveiled the GR Yaris M Concept (top and below) at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon in January, which featured the company's new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mounted behind the rear seats and driving the rear wheels. At the concept's unveiling, the company said the concept would be developed and honed by racing it in the Super Taikyu endurance series. It was hinted the race-bred mid-engine platform might then be used in a production car, widely believed to be the long-awaited successor to the MR2. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Over the weekend, Toyota announced it wouldn't enter the Yaris M in the fifth race of the Super Taikyu series at Autopolis due to "difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving". The automaker said it was still committed to entering the car in future races, but didn't commit to when this might happen. The new 2.0-litre turbo powering the Yaris M is reportedly set to do duty in the upcoming front-wheel drive Celica, as well as the mid-engine MR2. According to Japanese magazine Best Car the engine will make 221kW/400Nm in base spec, and around 294kW/550Nm in performance guise. A racing version of the engine could output as much as 441kW. It's unclear if the delay will impact just the MR2, or the Celica as well. Production of the Celica ended in 2006 as affordable sporty coupes fell out of favour across the world. Although it's now remembered a front-wheel drive model, it wasn't until the fourth generation launched in 1985 it made the switch to the layout. The axe fell on the MR2 in 2007, with the third generation roadster never gaining the sales or the cult status bestowed on the boxy original or the Ferrari-lite successor. MORE: Everything Toyota Yaris Content originally sourced from: The return of the Toyota MR2 may be delayed as the company is having troubles sorting out the driving dynamics of its mid-engine Yaris race car. Toyota unveiled the GR Yaris M Concept (top and below) at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon in January, which featured the company's new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mounted behind the rear seats and driving the rear wheels. At the concept's unveiling, the company said the concept would be developed and honed by racing it in the Super Taikyu endurance series. It was hinted the race-bred mid-engine platform might then be used in a production car, widely believed to be the long-awaited successor to the MR2. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Over the weekend, Toyota announced it wouldn't enter the Yaris M in the fifth race of the Super Taikyu series at Autopolis due to "difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving". The automaker said it was still committed to entering the car in future races, but didn't commit to when this might happen. The new 2.0-litre turbo powering the Yaris M is reportedly set to do duty in the upcoming front-wheel drive Celica, as well as the mid-engine MR2. According to Japanese magazine Best Car the engine will make 221kW/400Nm in base spec, and around 294kW/550Nm in performance guise. A racing version of the engine could output as much as 441kW. It's unclear if the delay will impact just the MR2, or the Celica as well. Production of the Celica ended in 2006 as affordable sporty coupes fell out of favour across the world. Although it's now remembered a front-wheel drive model, it wasn't until the fourth generation launched in 1985 it made the switch to the layout. The axe fell on the MR2 in 2007, with the third generation roadster never gaining the sales or the cult status bestowed on the boxy original or the Ferrari-lite successor. MORE: Everything Toyota Yaris Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
a day ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Toyota MR2 may be delayed due to 'braking, steering, and driving' difficulties
The return of the Toyota MR2 may be delayed as the company is having troubles sorting out the driving dynamics of its mid-engine Yaris race car. Toyota unveiled the GR Yaris M Concept (top and below)at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon in January, which featured the company's new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mounted behind the rear seats and driving the rear wheels. At the concept's unveiling, the company said the concept would be developed and honed by racing it in the Super Taikyu endurance series. It was hinted the race-bred mid-engine platform might then be used in a production car, widely believed to be the long-awaited successor to the MR2. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Over the weekend, Toyota announced it wouldn't enter the Yaris M in the fifth race of the Super Taikyu series at Autopolis due to 'difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving'. The car maker said it was still committed to entering the car in future races, but didn't commit to when this might happen. The new 2.0-litre turbo powering the Yaris M is reportedly set to do duty in the upcoming front-wheel drive Celica, as well as the mid-engine MR2. According to Japanese magazine Best Car the engine will make 221kW/400Nm in base spec, and around 294kW/550Nm in performance guise. A racing version of the engine could output as much as 441kW. It's unclear if the delay will impact just the MR2, or the Celica as well. Production of the Celica ended in 2006 as affordable sporty coupes fell out of favour across the world. Although it's now remembered a front-wheel drive model, it wasn't until the fourth generation launched in 1985 it made the switch to the layout. The axe fell on the MR2 in 2007, with the third generation roadster never gaining the sales or the cult status bestowed on the boxy original or the Ferrari-lite successor.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Toyota MR2 may be delayed due to 'braking, steering, and driving' difficulties
The return of the Toyota MR2 may be delayed as the company is having troubles sorting out the driving dynamics of its mid-engine Yaris race car. Toyota unveiled the GR Yaris M Concept (top and below)at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon in January, which featured the company's new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mounted behind the rear seats and driving the rear wheels. At the concept's unveiling, the company said the concept would be developed and honed by racing it in the Super Taikyu endurance series. It was hinted the race-bred mid-engine platform might then be used in a production car, widely believed to be the long-awaited successor to the MR2. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Over the weekend, Toyota announced it wouldn't enter the Yaris M in the fifth race of the Super Taikyu series at Autopolis due to 'difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving'. The car maker said it was still committed to entering the car in future races, but didn't commit to when this might happen. The new 2.0-litre turbo powering the Yaris M is reportedly set to do duty in the upcoming front-wheel drive Celica, as well as the mid-engine MR2. According to Japanese magazine Best Car the engine will make 221kW/400Nm in base spec, and around 294kW/550Nm in performance guise. A racing version of the engine could output as much as 441kW. It's unclear if the delay will impact just the MR2, or the Celica as well. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert Production of the Celica ended in 2006 as affordable sporty coupes fell out of favour across the world. Although it's now remembered a front-wheel drive model, it wasn't until the fourth generation launched in 1985 it made the switch to the layout. The axe fell on the MR2 in 2007, with the third generation roadster never gaining the sales or the cult status bestowed on the boxy original or the Ferrari-lite successor. MORE: Everything Toyota Yaris
