- Toyota unveiled a mid-engined GR Yaris prototype on the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon
- The prototype is powered by a newly developed 2.0-liter turbo-4
- The prototype’s reveal has reignited rumors of the return of the MR2
Toyota stunned guests on the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon on Friday with a GR Yaris prototype that includes a brand new 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine in a mid-engined format.
Toyota said that the prototype is a part of a group of check automobiles engineers are utilizing to develop what the automaker describes as “ever-better motorsports-bred vehicles.”
The opposite vehicles within the assortment embody a GR Yaris utilized in endurance races on the Nürburgring and a GR Yaris with an experimental aerodynamic package deal presently being evaluated by Toyota engineers and a number of other skilled racing drivers.
The mid-engine prototype, formally named the GR Yaris M, is especially intriguing, as Toyota has not indicated plans to launch a mid-engined automobile—regardless of persistent rumors in regards to the return of the MR2. Notably, in 2023, Toyota unveiled an electrical sports activities automobile idea, the FT-Se, with proportions that will align nicely with a mid-engined platform.
Toyota FT-Se idea
Toyota’s official touch upon the GR Yaris M is that it was constructed to discover the potential of the GR Yaris platform. The automaker plans to additional develop this potential by getting into the automobile in Japan’s Tremendous Taikyu racing collection.
Toyota has confirmed that new sports activities vehicles are within the works. A senior Toyota official introduced final November {that a} trendy Celica is coming, though it’s not anticipated to characteristic a mid-engined design.
Moreover, an episode of Toyota’s self-published cartoon, “Grip,” launched final yr, confirmed a whiteboard itemizing a number of potential new fashions. These included a brand new Supra, a brand new Celica, a brand new MR2, a brand new GR86, and a GR GT3. Of those, the GR GT3 has already been noticed present process assessments, each as a race automobile and as a highway automobile. The highway automobile may ultimately be marketed beneath the Lexus model.
The GR Yaris in inventory type is already a potent monitor machine. Bought exterior the U.S., the newest model encompasses a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-3 mounted beneath the hood and spitting out 276 hp. The engine may be paired with both a 6-speed handbook or Toyota’s newly developed 8-speed Direct Computerized Transmission.
