Toyota is banking on its global partnership with Suzuki and Daihatsu in developing a sports car successor to the MR2, powered by a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine.
The rumored Toyota sports car is reportedly in collaboration with Suzuki and Daihatsu [Image: Best Car]
According to a report by Japan’s Best Car, the upcoming model will have the Suzuki-sourced midships-mounted power unit producing 120 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque. In addition to the forced induction, the engine is also believed to come with mild-hybrid tech for a slight boost as well as improved fuel consumption. Rumored transmissions are a manual and automatic, each with six forward gears.
The sports car is also speculated to be lightweight at less than 1,000 kilograms, offsetting the engine’s perceived low output. Reported measurements are 4,200mm in length, 1,720mm wide, and 1,220mm tall on a 2,550mm wheelbase, putting it on par with the GR 86. It will also apparently be lighter than the current Mazda MX-5.
The car will reportedly be lighter than the Mazda MX-5
Apart from providing the external badging, Toyota will also reportedly adapt the front suspension used in the current XP210 Yaris for the upcoming model. Meanwhile, Daihatsu’s contribution is said to be in the area of exterior styling, with the sports car believed to be carrying design cues from the second-generation Copen two-seat Kei roadster.
Reports of a new small mid-engined sports car from Toyota are nothing new, but these were further stoked by the Sports EV concept, one of at least 15 electric models previewed by the automaker in December 2021. The aggressively angular design was accompanied by short overhangs, large air intakes, and carbon fiber components, with the package topped off by a GR badge.
Toyota previewed the Sports EV concept back in December 2021
Toyota transitioning from pure electric drive to electrically assisted combustion power for the Sports EV’s upcoming production version comes as no surprise, given the automaker’s pursuit of a multi-pronged approach to reducing emissions. While other brands are preparing to embrace the electric era wholesale, Toyota continues to undertake parallel efforts in hydrogen fuel cells and biomass.
See what future models your favorite carmakers could have in store at Philkotse.com.